Researching real people and events helps to immerse people in the lives and circumstances of ancient times. Giving students this perspective helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a narrative of a person or event relating to ancient Rome. Creating a narrative out of the events will help students understand what happened, who each person was, and how they impacted history.
Teachers can assign students specific people or events or give students a choice. Teachers may wish to provide resources such as books or the online encyclopedia Britannica for students to read about their person or event. Students can present their narratives to their classmates, sharing their knowledge and combining research, writing and, public speaking skills into one powerful assignment.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person. Create a narrative storyboard that includes their birth, death and important events from their life. OR Research a famous event or legend from ancient Rome. Create a narrative storyboard which describes the major events in sequence.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishment, OR date of event and major details in order of occurrence.
Create a clear, step-by-step checklist for students to follow during their narrative biography project. This helps keep everyone on track and ensures no key details are missed.
Demonstrate how to use a timeline graphic organizer to jot down important facts, dates, and events. Show students how to pull key points rather than copy whole paragraphs.
Encourage students to arrange their research findings in time order. This structure helps them see cause and effect, and makes their narratives flow logically.
Provide sentence starters, transition words, and peer review checklists. These tools boost confidence and help students improve their writing before sharing.
Set up a positive, supportive environment for students to present their narratives. Encourage active listening and respectful feedback to make sharing meaningful for everyone.
A narrative biography tells the story of a person's life in a sequence, focusing on key events and accomplishments. To create one about Julius Caesar, students should research his birth, major life milestones, and impact on history, then organize these facts into a chronological, story-like format.
Narrative biographies help students connect with historical figures by presenting facts as stories. Teachers can assign students a Roman figure or event to research, then have them create and present a narrative, combining research, writing, and presentation skills for deeper historical understanding.
Students should choose a person or event, gather information using trusted resources, take notes on important dates and achievements, and use a timeline or storyboard to organize their findings. Presenting their narrative helps develop public speaking and critical thinking skills.
Great choices include Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, Marcus Aurelius, Spartacus, Cicero, and Constantine. Each played a significant role in Roman history and offers rich stories for students to explore.
Students can use books, reputable websites, and encyclopedias like Britannica. Teachers may also provide curated resources to ensure accuracy and age-appropriate content for middle schoolers.