The Reading and Writing Project

TEACHERS COLLEGE

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

THE READING AND WRITING PROJECT

These social studies text sets attempt to represent not just a topic, but an issue within that topic, and sides of that issue. The text sets present multiple perspectives on a social studies issue—as well as multiple levels of texts and multiple modalities. The texts are arranged more or less from easier to harder. Some articles may need to be adapted for lower level readers, and some website text you may choose to move into Word and reformat so it is easier to read and has fewer distractors/ads. Be sure to capture the whole URL, without spaces for line-breaks, when you seek these online resources. Thanks to all the teachers who shared resources. If you have a bibliography you‘d like to share with social studies teachers, please email us at: .

Please keep in mind that websites are temporal and so might no longer be posted.

Julius Caesar

“Julius Caesar,” Mr. Donn.org.

http://rome.mrdonn.org/caesar.html

Simple, straightforward article discussing the accomplishments of Julius Caesar. Compiled by Mr. Donn who creates websites for educators and kids.

“Caesar and the Pirates,” Livius.

http://www.livius.org/caa-can/caesar/caesar_t01.htm

An anecdote about Caesar’s merciless crucifixion of pirates

“Julius Caesar: Villain and Dictator,” Central Bucks School District (2012).

www.cbsd.org/sites/teachers/middle/AKANE/.../Casear%20Villain.ppt

A PowerPoint that explains how Caesar was a villain

“Julius Caesar,” PBS (2006).

http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/julius_caesar.html

A brief biography that mentions Caesar’s achievements with language that suggests he was a ruthless, villainous individual—especially under the headings “Dangerous times” and “I predict a riot.”

“The Life of Julius Caesar,” Social Studies for Kids .

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/juliuscaesar.htm

This link connects to 7 different articles on the life, politics, and legacy of Julius Caesar. The “Life of Julius Caesar: Part 4” provides causal relationships for why people opposed him and why he may have responded by allying with his army and the common people.

“A Portrait of Julius Caesar” Eyewitness to History (2006).

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/caesar3.htm
A brief editorial insight into the character and personality of Julius Caesar

“Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44BC)” The Illustrated History of the Roman Empire.

http://www.roman-empire.net/republic/caesar.html

Article mainly discusses the accomplishments of Julius Caesar. Specifically focus on the paragraph: “Caesar, Dictator of Rome.”

“Julius Caesar,” About.Com Ancient/Classical History (2012). http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/emperors/ig/12-Caesars/Julius-Caesar.htm

Lists 5 accomplishments of Julius Caesar.

“Roman History,” Kidipede (January 26, 2012).

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/history/history.htm

A brief background on Roman History

“Julius Caesar—Hitler or Hero?” HubPages (2012).

http://meljay.hubpages.com/hub/Julius-Caesar-Hero-or-Hitler

This more nuanced article examines Caesar’s conquests, achievements, and shortcomings. The article presents arguments on both sides while leaving the debate open-ended.

“Death of Julius Caesar (Part 3),” King Tut One. http://www.kingtutone.com/queens/cleopatra/caesar/

This article portrays Caesar’s relationship with Cleopatra and how that contributed, among other things, to his death.

Read Aloud Book:

Rinaldo, Denise. A Wicked History: Julius Caesar: Dictator for Life. Scholastic, 2010.

The final chapter of this text (pp. 119-121) summarizes the arguments of Caesar as both a villain and hero.

Further research:

Marcus Junius Brutus:

“Marcus Junius Brutus Caepio,” Livius (May 14, 2012).

http://www.livius.org/bn-bz/brutus/brutus02.html

A biography of one of Caesar’s main conspirators

Mark Antony:

“Mark Antony,” History (2012).

http://www.history.com/topics/mark-antony

A biography of one of Caesar’s most loyal friends.

“Antony’s Eulogy,” Heritage History (2012).

http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage.php?Dir=excerpts&FileName=shakespeare/eulogy.html

A copy Mark Antony’s speech from William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”

Cleopatra:

“Cleopatra VII'S Childhood & Ptolemy XII,” King Tut One.

http://www.kingtutone.com/queens/cleopatra/child/

A biography of Cleopatra’s childhood

“Cleopatra’s Brilliant Idea (Part 2),” King Tut One.

http://www.kingtutone.com/queens/cleopatra/idea/

A biography focusing on Cleopatra’s relationship and alliance with Caesar

“What happened to Cleopatra and Julius Caesar’s son?” National Geographic (February 25, 2011).

http://tvblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2011/02/25/what-happened-to-cleopatras-and-julius-caesars-son/

This article explores the question: “What happened to Cleopatra and Julius Caesar’s son?”

Primary Sources:

“The Commentaries of Caius Julius Caesar,” Gutenberg (January 23, 2006).

http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/10657/pg10657.html