LKS2 Topic: The Romans in Britain Block I: The Roman Legacy

Learn about the Roman legacy – exploring those things that the Romans brought which affected our subsequent history and even our language. Study the cities, the rule of law, Roman numerals and the calendar we use today, and come to understand how many aspects of modern life can, in effect, be traced back in some way to the Romans.

Block I: The Roman Legacy
[6 sessions] / Main outcome:History
Other outcomes:English, Geography, Maths, Computingand Citizenship
By the end of this block children will achieve the following outcomes: /
  • Understand that our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
  • Note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.
  • Ask and address historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference and significance.
  • Begin to understand the legacy left by the Romans on Britain and its impact on our subsequent history.
  • Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.
  • Speak audibly and fluently when reading a poem aloud.
  • Check that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and explaining the meaning of the words in context.
  • Understand the etymology of words to understand the relationships between meaning and spelling.
  • Use dictionaries to check the meaning of words they have read.
  • Use the first two or three letters of a word to check its spelling in a dictionary.
  • Spell words with the /s/ sound spelt sc (Latin in origin).
  • Spell words correctly from the statutory list.
  • Read Roman numerals to 100 (I to C) and know that over time, the numeral system changed to include the concept of zero and place value.
  • Know the months of the year and know the number of days in each month, year and leap year.
  • Name and locate cities of the United Kingdom.
  • Describe and understand key aspects of human geography including types of settlement and land use.
  • Begin to understand the role of law and the justice system in our society.
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Select and use software to accomplish given goals, including presenting data and information.

Session 1:EnglishandHistory
What did the Romans ever do for us?
Chn discuss what a legacy is and explore the different aspects of the Roman legacy. They trace the Latin roots of words we use in English. /
  • Understand the meaning of words and use this to help improve their spelling.
  • Understand that there are some things we depend on today which are available because of the Romans.

Session 2:English,HistoryandMaths
Language and the calendar
Chn compare the Roman names in Latin for the months of the year to the current English equivalents. /
  • Understand that many of our words originate from language of the Romans (Latin).
  • Question the choices the Romans made about names of calendar months.
  • Know that our calendar is based on the Roman calendar.

Session 3:MathsandHistory
Roman numerals
Chn learn about Roman numerals. They write dates and amounts using these numbers and begin to understand how the Roman numeral system works. /
  • Read and write Roman numerals.
  • Solve mathematical problems involving Roman numberals.

Session 4: PSHEandHistory
Law and order
Chn discuss the need for a system of laws. They learn about the Twelve Tables in 449, and then discuss the need for fair rules. /
  • Begin to be aware of the role of the law and justice system in our society.
  • Understand that our knowledge of the Roman justice system comes from a range of sources.
  • Know of the Twelve Tables and understand why they came into being.

Session 5: Geography andHistory
Roads and towns
Chn look at where the Roman cities in Britain were located and discuss why the Romans chose to build cities there. They discuss why the Romans built good straight roads. /
  • Identify capital cities and school location on map of UK.
  • Identify towns and cities in Britain that were old Roman cities.
  • Discuss why some sites might have been chosen as a place to settle.
  • Understand why the Romans built good straight roads.

Session 6: ComputingandHistory
The Roman Legacy
Chn research a particular aspect of the ‘Roman Legacy’ and create a set of PowerPoint slides to contribute to a class presentation. /
  • Use the internet to research part of the Roman legacy.
  • Produce a PowerPoint slide with a text box, image and heading.
  • Consider and discuss the impact of the Roman Empire on their lives today.

Resources

Session 1

Provided: Copy of the poem; Root word worksheet, Roman legacies sheet.

You will need: Dictionaries.

Session 2

Provided: Months of the year (with Roman spellings);List of ‘sc’ words.

You will need: Internet access.

Session 3

Provided: 0-100 number strip; Roman numeral adding sheet.

Session 4

Provided: Images of the 12 Tables, Image of a Roman courthouse.

You will need: A copy of the school rules.

Session 5

Provided: Map of UK with Roman cities and road; Map of U.K. and major cities (current); Task sheet; List of Roman names for some European cities; Historical and current maps of Western Europe.

You will need: A large road map of the U.K.

Session 6

Provided: List of Roman legacies; Table prompt.

You will need: ICT access (computers).

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