Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary that students will see in their readings or presentations aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary related to the study of ancient Rome.
Students will preview the terms and definitions and use whole class or small group discussion to demonstrate their understanding of each meaning. Then, they will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teachers discretion. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
Suggested Vocabulary for Ancient Rome:
Forum: an open area in a city filled with public buildings, temples and markets.
Republic: a government in which citizens have the right to vote and elect officials.
Legion: the basic unit of the Roman army with about 4,500-5,000 heavily armed soldiers.
Maniple: legions were broken up into maniples. A maniple was a unit of between 60-160 soldiers.
Diplomacy: managing relationships with other countries through negotiation.
Constitution: a system of rules by which a government is organized. It can be written or unwritten. The Roman constitution was unwritten unlike the U.S. Constitution. It was based on tradition, custom and a collection of laws.
Veto: to stop or cancel the action of a government official or body. In Latin, veto means “I forbid.”
Magistrates: elected officials who enforce the law. The magistrates in the Roman government were the branch of government made up of elected wealthy men from elite families. The two highest magistrates were the Consuls.
Toga: a garment that adult men wore wrapped around their bodies. Only citizens could wear togas. Only free men could be citizens. Women and slaves were not citizens and could have no direct role in government.
Patricians: one of the orders of Roman citizenship, patricians were members of the oldest families in Rome and were usually wealthy and controlled most aspects of government.
Plebeians: the second order of Roman citizenship, plebeians were the majority of Romans. They were mostly farmers or artisans.
Assemblies: groups of adult male Roman citizens who passed laws and elected magistrates.
The Senate: made up of wealthy important citizens whose job it was to help pass laws, control foreign policy, and government money. Senators were chosen by an official called the censor.
Consuls: the top officials of the Roman republic. Their most important job was to lead the army but they also presided over the senate and assemblies and were the highest judges.
Dictators: In ancient Rome, a dictator was an important public official. The senate could vote to name a dictator in times of great emergency. Dictators held complete power but for a maximum of six months.
Patriarchal society: a society where men rule their families and people trace their origins through male ancestors.
Paterfamilias: the oldest male in the Roman family and the head of the household.
Villa: large country home that was usually owned by an elite upper-class Roman family.
Tenant farmer: farmers who rented land from wealthy landlords and did not own the land themselves.
Stylus: a pointed instrument used for writing.
Gladiator: a person trained to fight another person to the death for public entertainment.
Polytheism: worship of many gods or deities.
Pax Romana: a period of stability in the Roman Empire.
Oratory: art of giving speeches.
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 storyboard that defines and illustrates ancient Roman vocabulary. To find art and characters related to ancient Rome, type "Rome" into the search box in the Storyboard Creator.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the key terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key vocabulary that students will see in their readings or presentations aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary related to the study of ancient Rome.
Students will preview the terms and definitions and use whole class or small group discussion to demonstrate their understanding of each meaning. Then, they will create a spider map of 3-5 terms at the teachers discretion. When students define and illustrate each term, they master the application of it and retain it as part of their lexicon.
Suggested Vocabulary for Ancient Rome:
Forum: an open area in a city filled with public buildings, temples and markets.
Republic: a government in which citizens have the right to vote and elect officials.
Legion: the basic unit of the Roman army with about 4,500-5,000 heavily armed soldiers.
Maniple: legions were broken up into maniples. A maniple was a unit of between 60-160 soldiers.
Diplomacy: managing relationships with other countries through negotiation.
Constitution: a system of rules by which a government is organized. It can be written or unwritten. The Roman constitution was unwritten unlike the U.S. Constitution. It was based on tradition, custom and a collection of laws.
Veto: to stop or cancel the action of a government official or body. In Latin, veto means “I forbid.”
Magistrates: elected officials who enforce the law. The magistrates in the Roman government were the branch of government made up of elected wealthy men from elite families. The two highest magistrates were the Consuls.
Toga: a garment that adult men wore wrapped around their bodies. Only citizens could wear togas. Only free men could be citizens. Women and slaves were not citizens and could have no direct role in government.
Patricians: one of the orders of Roman citizenship, patricians were members of the oldest families in Rome and were usually wealthy and controlled most aspects of government.
Plebeians: the second order of Roman citizenship, plebeians were the majority of Romans. They were mostly farmers or artisans.
Assemblies: groups of adult male Roman citizens who passed laws and elected magistrates.
The Senate: made up of wealthy important citizens whose job it was to help pass laws, control foreign policy, and government money. Senators were chosen by an official called the censor.
Consuls: the top officials of the Roman republic. Their most important job was to lead the army but they also presided over the senate and assemblies and were the highest judges.
Dictators: In ancient Rome, a dictator was an important public official. The senate could vote to name a dictator in times of great emergency. Dictators held complete power but for a maximum of six months.
Patriarchal society: a society where men rule their families and people trace their origins through male ancestors.
Paterfamilias: the oldest male in the Roman family and the head of the household.
Villa: large country home that was usually owned by an elite upper-class Roman family.
Tenant farmer: farmers who rented land from wealthy landlords and did not own the land themselves.
Stylus: a pointed instrument used for writing.
Gladiator: a person trained to fight another person to the death for public entertainment.
Polytheism: worship of many gods or deities.
Pax Romana: a period of stability in the Roman Empire.
Oratory: art of giving speeches.
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 storyboard that defines and illustrates ancient Roman vocabulary. To find art and characters related to ancient Rome, type "Rome" into the search box in the Storyboard Creator.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the key terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
How Tos about Ancient Roman Vocabulary
Make Vocabulary Games to Reinforce Ancient Roman Terms
Boost student engagement and solidify learning by creating interactive games using ancient Roman vocabulary words. Games like Bingo, Memory, or Jeopardy-style quizzes help students recall and use terms in fun, memorable ways. These activities motivate participation and make review sessions more lively.
Select key vocabulary words for your game
Choose 5–10 important Roman terms that match your lesson focus. Prioritize words students struggled with or that are essential for upcoming topics. This ensures the game targets the right content and maximizes review time.
Prepare game materials and format
Create cards, boards, or digital slides featuring the selected vocabulary and definitions. Adapt materials for group size—laminated cards for centers, printed Bingo sheets, or digital flashcards for whole class play. This makes the game easy to set up and reuse.
Explain the rules and model gameplay
Introduce the game by explaining rules step-by-step and demonstrate a quick round with student volunteers. Modeling builds confidence and ensures students understand how to participate successfully.
Facilitate the game and encourage vocabulary use
Guide students during gameplay, prompting them to say and use the vocabulary in context. Celebrate correct answers and reinforce definitions as needed. This active practice helps embed new words into students’ working vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ancient Roman Vocabulary
What is the best way to teach ancient Roman vocabulary to middle school students?
The best way to teach ancient Roman vocabulary is through interactive activities like creating storyboards, where students define and illustrate terms. This visual approach boosts comprehension and retention by connecting definitions with images and discussion.
How can I help students remember key terms from ancient Rome?
Help students remember key ancient Roman terms by using spider maps, group discussions, and hands-on projects like drawing or digital storyboards. Repetition and visual association make vocabulary stick.
What are essential ancient Roman vocabulary words for grades 6-8?
Essential ancient Roman vocabulary for grades 6-8 includes terms like forum, republic, legion, patrician, plebeian, veto, consul, senate, gladiator, villa, and toga. These words help students understand Roman society and government.
How do storyboards help students learn ancient Roman vocabulary?
Storyboards help students learn ancient Roman vocabulary by allowing them to define and illustrate each term. This visual and creative process deepens understanding and makes terms memorable.
What is a simple classroom activity for teaching ancient Rome vocabulary?
A simple classroom activity is to have students preview a list of ancient Rome vocabulary, discuss meanings in small groups, and then create illustrated storyboards for 3-5 terms. This reinforces both understanding and application.
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