Activity Overview
Using a G.R.A.P.E.S. Chart to organize information about ancient Civilizations is a useful tool to enhance students' analysis of the characteristics and contributions of a society. Going further and including visuals helps students to better retain the details of each category.
When learning about ancient Civilizations, students may need teachers to provide a variety of resources. The use of diverse resources such as primary sources, videos, songs, readings from textbooks, encyclopedias and literature can be helpful for students to gain an accurate and complete picture of the time period. Students can use graphic organizers to write notes about the different categories as they learn.
Students Can Collaborate!
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
GRAPES Chart
Rome's economy was built on artisans, soldiers, politicians, and enslaved people. In this activity, students will create a storyboard highlighting different aspects of the economy of ancient Rome. Students should focus on the types of jobs, as well as how the economy impacted the empire.
By focusing on just one category, students are encouraged to include more information and should complete 3-6 cells. Students can come together after they’ve created their storyboards to share what they’ve learned. The full G.R.A.P.E.S. Chart can be used as a post assessment after students have presented.
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: Create a spider map focusing on the different characteristics of the Economy or Jobs of ancient Rome. To find art and characters related to ancient Rome, type "Rome" into the search box in the Storyboard Creator.
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Write a title for each cell and a 1-3 sentence description.
- Create an illustration that represents each feature using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Minimum of 3-6 cells showcasing different characteristics of the economy of ancient Rome. Appropriate scenes to illustrate each cell. 1-3 sentence description for each cell demonstrating your understanding.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Using a G.R.A.P.E.S. Chart to organize information about ancient Civilizations is a useful tool to enhance students' analysis of the characteristics and contributions of a society. Going further and including visuals helps students to better retain the details of each category.
When learning about ancient Civilizations, students may need teachers to provide a variety of resources. The use of diverse resources such as primary sources, videos, songs, readings from textbooks, encyclopedias and literature can be helpful for students to gain an accurate and complete picture of the time period. Students can use graphic organizers to write notes about the different categories as they learn.
Students Can Collaborate!
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
GRAPES Chart
Rome's economy was built on artisans, soldiers, politicians, and enslaved people. In this activity, students will create a storyboard highlighting different aspects of the economy of ancient Rome. Students should focus on the types of jobs, as well as how the economy impacted the empire.
By focusing on just one category, students are encouraged to include more information and should complete 3-6 cells. Students can come together after they’ve created their storyboards to share what they’ve learned. The full G.R.A.P.E.S. Chart can be used as a post assessment after students have presented.
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: Create a spider map focusing on the different characteristics of the Economy or Jobs of ancient Rome. To find art and characters related to ancient Rome, type "Rome" into the search box in the Storyboard Creator.
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Write a title for each cell and a 1-3 sentence description.
- Create an illustration that represents each feature using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Minimum of 3-6 cells showcasing different characteristics of the economy of ancient Rome. Appropriate scenes to illustrate each cell. 1-3 sentence description for each cell demonstrating your understanding.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Ancient Roman Economy
Incorporate primary sources into your Ancient Rome economy lesson
Integrate authentic materials like ancient Roman coins, trade documents, or images of marketplaces to help students connect classroom learning with real historical evidence. Primary sources add depth and make history more engaging for students.
Select accessible primary sources for grades 2–8
Choose simple artifacts such as coin images, mosaics, or short translated texts that are age-appropriate. This ensures students can analyze and discuss sources confidently without feeling overwhelmed.
Facilitate group analysis of a primary source
Assign each group a primary source and ask guiding questions (e.g., What does this artifact tell us about Roman jobs or trade?). Groups should discuss and share their findings to build critical thinking and collaboration skills.
Guide students to add new insights to their GRAPES chart
Encourage students to update their Economy section with facts or observations from the primary sources. This reinforces learning and shows how evidence supports historical understanding.
Wrap up with a class discussion connecting sources to Roman economy concepts
Lead a whole-class reflection on how the examined sources deepen understanding of Roman economic life. Highlight connections between the artifacts and the students' graphic organizers for a meaningful conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ancient Roman Economy
What is a GRAPES chart and how can it help students learn about the Ancient Roman economy?
A GRAPES chart is a graphic organizer that helps students analyze key aspects of ancient civilizations, including Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics, Economy, and Society. Using a GRAPES chart for the Ancient Roman economy encourages students to focus on economic roles, jobs, and contributions, making learning more organized and engaging.
How can teachers make a lesson on Ancient Roman economy more collaborative?
Teachers can use Real Time Collaboration features in digital tools like Storyboard That, allowing students to work together on the same storyboard. Collaboration fosters deeper thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, and can make lessons on the Ancient Roman economy more interactive.
What are some effective resources for teaching about the Ancient Roman economy?
Effective resources include primary sources, videos, songs, textbook readings, encyclopedias, and literature. Combining these with graphic organizers and visuals helps students gain a fuller understanding of Ancient Rome's economy and jobs.
What jobs or roles made up the economy of Ancient Rome?
The Ancient Roman economy included artisans, soldiers, politicians, and enslaved people. Each group contributed to Rome's economic strength and influenced the empire's development.
How can students use storyboards to show their understanding of Ancient Roman economic life?
Students can create storyboards with 3-6 cells, each illustrating a different aspect of Ancient Rome's economy. Adding titles, short descriptions, and visuals for each cell helps demonstrate their knowledge in a clear and creative way.
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