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
Roman politics were comprised of different groups of people, with varying degrees of power. Much of Rome's politics influenced the development of other governments, like that of the United States. In this activity, students will create a spider map that illustrates either the government or politics of ancient Rome.
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 politics or government of ancient Rome. To find art and characters related to ancient Rome, type "Rome" into the search box in the Storyboard Creator.
- 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: 3-6 cells showcasing different characteristics of the government 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
Roman politics were comprised of different groups of people, with varying degrees of power. Much of Rome's politics influenced the development of other governments, like that of the United States. In this activity, students will create a spider map that illustrates either the government or politics of ancient Rome.
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 politics or government of ancient Rome. To find art and characters related to ancient Rome, type "Rome" into the search box in the Storyboard Creator.
- 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: 3-6 cells showcasing different characteristics of the government 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 Politics
How to Differentiate a GRAPES Chart Assignment for Diverse Learners
Adapt the GRAPES chart to meet all students' needs by offering tiered templates, sentence starters, and visual supports. Allow students to choose between drawing, typing, or using symbols for their responses. Provide audio or video resources for students who benefit from multimodal input. Check in frequently and encourage peer support to ensure every student can participate meaningfully.
Provide clear instructions and examples
Model how to fill in each section of the GRAPES chart using a sample civilization. Share completed examples and think aloud to demonstrate your expectations. Highlight key features of the assignment and clarify how visuals should support written details.
Offer resource options for research
Gather a variety of engaging resources such as primary sources, videos, and short readings tailored for your students’ reading levels. Organize these by GRAPES category and make them easily accessible. Encourage students to use at least two resource types for a richer understanding.
Encourage brainstorming and planning
Guide students to list ideas for each GRAPES category before starting their storyboard. Use sticky notes, graphic organizers, or digital brainstorming tools to help students organize their thinking. Remind them that planning saves time and leads to stronger final products.
Support collaboration and peer review
Pair or group students for peer feedback sessions. Ask them to review each other's work for accuracy, clarity, and use of visuals. Foster a supportive classroom culture by modeling constructive feedback and celebrating creative solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ancient Roman Politics
What is a GRAPES chart and how can it help teach ancient Roman politics?
A GRAPES chart is a graphic organizer used to analyze different aspects of ancient civilizations: Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics, Economics, and Society. For ancient Roman politics, it helps students break down and understand key features like government structure, leaders, and influences on modern systems.
How do I create a spider map about ancient Rome's government with my class?
To create a spider map on ancient Rome's government, have students choose main political characteristics, write short descriptions for each, and illustrate them using scenes or characters. Collaborative digital tools like Storyboard That make this process easy and engaging.
What are easy ways for students to collaborate on ancient Rome lessons online?
Students can collaborate on ancient Rome lessons online by using platforms with real-time collaboration features, such as Storyboard That. Teachers enable collaboration in assignment settings, allowing students to co-create storyboards and share ideas instantly.
Why is it important for students to use visuals when learning about ancient civilizations?
Using visuals helps students better retain information and understand complex concepts about ancient civilizations. Visual aids make abstract ideas concrete and support diverse learning styles, increasing engagement and comprehension.
What resources can teachers use to make lessons on ancient Roman politics more engaging?
Teachers can use primary sources, videos, songs, textbooks, encyclopedias, and literature to make lessons on ancient Roman politics more engaging. Combining these resources with graphic organizers and collaborative activities enriches students' learning experience.
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