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 society was built on a hierarchy, with patricians, plebeians, and enslaved people. In this activity, students will create a spider map that focuses on the social structure 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 social structure 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 social structure 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 society was built on a hierarchy, with patricians, plebeians, and enslaved people. In this activity, students will create a spider map that focuses on the social structure 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 social structure 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 social structure 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 Rome Social Life
Guide students to compare Ancient Rome’s social structure with modern society
Encourage students to identify similarities and differences between Ancient Rome's social hierarchy and today’s communities. This helps deepen understanding and connect history to their own lives.
Introduce the comparison activity with a class brainstorm
Start by listing social groups in Ancient Rome and modern society on the board. Invite students to share what they know about social roles today and in Roman times.
Divide students into small groups for discussion
Assign each group to focus on one Roman social class (patricians, plebeians, or enslaved people) and find a modern-day equivalent. Groups discuss rights, responsibilities, and daily life for each group, then compare to now.
Have groups present their findings with visuals
Ask students to create simple posters or digital slides showing their comparisons. Encourage them to use illustrations, diagrams, or short skits to make connections clear.
Wrap up with a reflective class discussion
Lead a conversation about how social structures change over time and what factors cause those changes. Prompt students to consider fairness, equality, and the impact of social roles today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ancient Rome Social Life
What is a GRAPES chart and how can it help students learn about Ancient Rome's social structure?
A GRAPES chart is a graphic organizer that helps students analyze ancient civilizations by breaking information into categories like Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics, Economics, and Social Structure. Using a GRAPES chart for Ancient Rome helps students better understand the hierarchical society—from patricians and plebeians to enslaved people—by organizing key details visually.
How can I make lessons on Ancient Rome's social life more engaging for middle school students?
To engage middle schoolers in learning about Ancient Rome's social life, incorporate diverse resources such as primary sources, videos, songs, literature, and interactive graphic organizers. Visual aids and collaborative tools like Storyboard That’s Real Time Collaboration can also boost participation and retention.
What are some effective collaborative activities for teaching Ancient Rome social structure?
Effective collaborative activities include having students work together on a storyboard or spider map that visualizes Ancient Rome’s social structure. Tools like Real Time Collaboration enable students to build and illustrate the project simultaneously, enhancing communication and problem-solving skills.
What resources can teachers use to teach about Ancient Rome's social hierarchy?
Teachers can use a mix of primary sources, textbook readings, encyclopedias, literature, videos, songs, and graphic organizers to provide students with a comprehensive view of Ancient Rome’s social hierarchy. Visual resources and interactive assignments help deepen understanding.
How do I set up a collaborative storyboard assignment for my class?
To set up a collaborative storyboard assignment, go to the assignment's Edit Assignment tab and enable Real Time Collaboration. This allows multiple students (ideally up to five) to work on the same storyboard simultaneously, fostering teamwork and efficiency.
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