Legacy of the Romans

Curriculum Details

Subject: History
Level: Key Stage 2 (Year 5)
National Curriculum Area: The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify key Roman contributions to modern Britain.
• Explain how Roman innovations influence life today.
• Discuss the long-term impact of Roman rule in Britain.

---

Lesson Breakdown (60 Minutes)

Starter Activity (10 minutes) – Roman Mystery Box

• Objective: Engage students with Roman artefacts.
• Place Roman-related items (replicas or images) in a mystery box: coins, road maps, aqueduct pictures, Latin phrases, and a fake Roman scroll.
• Pass the box around; each student pulls out an item and guesses what it is and how it might still be relevant today.

Question for Discussion:
"What do you think the Romans have given us that still exists today?"

---

Main Teaching (15 minutes) – The Roman Legacy in Britain

Key Topics to Cover:

1. Roads & Infrastructure – Roman roads (e.g., Watling Street), how they shaped modern transport.
2. Language & Writing – Latin influence on English, Roman numerals.
3. Law & Government – Democratic influences, legal systems.
4. Architecture & Engineering – Aqueducts, baths, city planning.
5. Calendar & Timekeeping – Months of the year, BC/AD system.

Use slides or a whiteboard to illustrate each legacy with images, short descriptions, and real-life examples (e.g., straight roads in modern cities).

---

Group Activity (20 minutes) – Roman Innovation Challenge

• Split the class into five groups. Each group is assigned a legacy aspect (e.g., roads, language, buildings, government, or time).
• Each group creates a short "Roman News Report" (3 minutes) about their assigned legacy, pretending they are Roman journalists reporting on a new invention.
• Groups present to the class in an engaging manner (using drawings, props, or role-play).

Teacher Guidance: Encourage creativity! Students might demonstrate how a Roman bathhouse worked or how roads were constructed.

---

Plenary (10 minutes) – Roman or Not?

• Play a quick "Roman or Not?" game. Show students images of various modern items (roundabouts, motorways, alphabets, government debates, aqueducts, football).
• Students hold up a "Roman" or "Not Roman" sign to guess if the idea originated from the Romans.
• Discuss any misconceptions and reinforce learning points.

---

Assessment & Reflection

• Formative Assessment: Observe student engagement during the mystery box activity and group presentations.
• Peer Feedback: Each group gives one positive comment about another group’s presentation.
• Exit Question: Before leaving, every student must say one thing the Romans left behind that still affects us today.

---

Resources Required

• Mystery box with Roman-related items
• Visual aids (images, Roman numeral charts, examples of Latin words)
• Whiteboard & markers
• Printed signs for "Roman or Not?" game

---

Differentiation Strategies

• For Higher-Achieving Students: Challenge them to compare Roman inventions with those from other ancient civilisations (e.g., Egyptians, Greeks).
• For Students Needing Support: Provide visual cue cards and sentence starters for the news report activity.

---

Teacher Reflection

• Did students understand how Roman innovations shaped modern Britain?
• Were students engaged and actively participating?
• What adjustments could be made for future lessons?

---

This lesson is designed to wow students with interactive, engaging activities while ensuring adherence to the UK Key Stage 2 History curriculum. 🚀