Activity Overview
Researching real people helps students to gain a more concrete understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of people who lived in ancient times. Giving students the perspective of those who lived during a time period helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial, empathetic and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a biography poster for an influential person in ancient Rome.
Teachers can assign students specific people 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. Completed posters can be printed out, laminated and hung around the room as a visual reminder of notable people from the time of ancient Rome. Students can also present their posters to their classmates, sharing their knowledge about their person. Thus combining research, writing, and public speaking skills into one powerful assignment.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Examples of Ancient Romans to Research
- Cincinnatus
- Julius Caesar
- Augustus
- Romulus and Remus
- Nero
- Marcus Aurelius
- Commodus
- Trajan
- Constantine
- Cicero
- Virgil
- Spartacus
Template and Class Instructions
(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 from ancient Rome. Create a biography poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more the person’s life and accomplishments
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable). Choose a character that resembles your person. Add words and images to describe your person’s accomplishments.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishment.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The description includes at least five important facts about the famous or historic figure. | The description includes less than five important facts or it includes information that is not pertinent to the famous or historic figure. | The description is incomplete and does not contain important information about the famous or historic figure. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items that are appropriate to the famous or historic figure. They enhance the poster by symbolizing or illustrating important facts about the figure. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
Researching real people helps students to gain a more concrete understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of people who lived in ancient times. Giving students the perspective of those who lived during a time period helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial, empathetic and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a biography poster for an influential person in ancient Rome.
Teachers can assign students specific people 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. Completed posters can be printed out, laminated and hung around the room as a visual reminder of notable people from the time of ancient Rome. Students can also present their posters to their classmates, sharing their knowledge about their person. Thus combining research, writing, and public speaking skills into one powerful assignment.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Examples of Ancient Romans to Research
- Cincinnatus
- Julius Caesar
- Augustus
- Romulus and Remus
- Nero
- Marcus Aurelius
- Commodus
- Trajan
- Constantine
- Cicero
- Virgil
- Spartacus
Template and Class Instructions
(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 from ancient Rome. Create a biography poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more the person’s life and accomplishments
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable). Choose a character that resembles your person. Add words and images to describe your person’s accomplishments.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishment.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The description includes at least five important facts about the famous or historic figure. | The description includes less than five important facts or it includes information that is not pertinent to the famous or historic figure. | The description is incomplete and does not contain important information about the famous or historic figure. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items that are appropriate to the famous or historic figure. They enhance the poster by symbolizing or illustrating important facts about the figure. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Biography of Ancient Romans
Integrate Primary Sources into Roman Biography Research
Enhance your students' understanding by guiding them to use primary sources—like translated Roman letters or inscriptions—when researching their chosen figure. Primary sources give students direct insight into the language and perspectives of ancient Romans, making history more vivid and authentic.
Model How to Find Age-Appropriate Primary Sources
Demonstrate where to access kid-friendly primary sources, such as museum websites or curated databases, and show students how to identify useful excerpts. This helps students feel confident and ensures materials are safe and understandable for their grade level.
Guide Students to Analyze Source Content
Teach students to look for details in the primary source that reveal information about the person’s achievements or daily life. Encourage them to highlight or take notes on words and phrases that stand out. Analyzing details builds critical thinking and connects research to real historical voices.
Support Students in Using Quotes or Images on Posters
Show students how to select a short quote or image from their primary source to include on their poster. This adds authenticity and helps classmates see evidence from the time period itself.
Reflect on the Value of Primary Sources with the Class
Facilitate a brief discussion where students share what they learned from the primary source compared to secondary sources. This reflection helps students understand the importance of using multiple types of evidence in history research.
Frequently Asked Questions about Biography of Ancient Romans
What is a biography poster activity for ancient Rome?
A biography poster activity for ancient Rome is a classroom project where students research a famous Roman figure, then create a poster highlighting their life, accomplishments, and impact. This activity builds research, writing, and presentation skills while deepening understanding of ancient Roman culture.
How can K-12 teachers help students choose a notable ancient Roman to research?
Teachers can assign specific individuals from a prepared list or allow students to pick their own notable Romans. Providing resources like books or reputable online encyclopedias helps guide student choices and ensures access to accurate information.
What should be included on an ancient Roman biography poster?
Each biography poster should feature the person’s name, image, birth and death dates, and a summary of key accomplishments. Including visual elements, like images or symbols, and brief descriptions helps make the poster engaging and informative.
Why is researching real people from ancient times valuable for students?
Researching real people helps students develop empathy and a deeper understanding of history. It moves learning beyond memorizing dates to exploring the diverse perspectives and daily lives of those who shaped ancient Rome.
What are some examples of influential ancient Romans students can research?
Examples of influential ancient Romans include Julius Caesar, Augustus, Romulus and Remus, Nero, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, Trajan, Constantine, Cicero, Virgil, Spartacus, and Cincinnatus.
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