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Roman Rulers - The Good, the Bad… and the Weird
Research Project
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
“Roman Rulers – The Good, the Bad… and the Weird” Research Project
Ciao, students! My name is Giuseppe Rossi, president of Italian International Exchange (IIE). Have you
ever dreamed of visiting Italy? Would you enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to see the Roman Colosseum,
to eat world-famous “pizza Margherita” in Naples, or to cruise around the watery city of Venice on a
gondola? If you would like to enjoy Italy, I have a once-in-a-lifetime offer for you.
I am offering a free trip to Italy to a team of students who can create the best research project about our
great country’s history. This year’s theme is Roman Rulers: the Good, the Bad… and the Weird. I ask
you to research one of the Roman emperors from my accompanying list and present your findings in a
concise PowerPoint report. The deadline is in two weeks. This deadline, of course, is short notice, but
remember my excellent offer. You never know, if you do a wonderful job, you may be sampling our
delicious Italian chocolate in beautiful Turin sooner than you think!
First, you must assemble a team of fellow researchers. This project is much too extensive to handle on
your own. Choose no more than two helpful individuals. Together, the three of you must conduct in-
depth research about one of the following Roman emperors: Julius Caesar, Octavian (Augustus),
Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Caligula, or Commodus. You will learn that
some of these emperors were, in fact, wonderful leaders. Others were quite cruel … and unusual. My
team here in Milan will expect a well-researched PowerPoint presentation (or Keynote presentation if you
have a Mac) explaining the following:
The perceived strengths or weaknesses of the emperor you have chosen;
Their contributions to Roman life, culture, and the sustainability of the empire;
Also, be able to answer the following questions: Was this emperor good for the citizens of the
Roman Empire? Why or why not?
Oh, and before I forget: I need you to email me a two-page summary, briefly explaining your research
findings, by the end of next week. Once received, I will review your findings and pass along your letter
to the convention organizers, so they may place your topic on the convention’s agenda.
Enclosed, please find more instructions to help you get this project off the ground. I look forward to
seeing your work, students!
Grazie,
Giuseppe Rossi, President
Italian International Exchange (IIE)
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
Digging into the Project: A Step-by-Step Set of Instructions.
1.) Assemble a team of three participants. 2.) Decide which of these ten Roman emperors you would like to research based on the brief introduction I presented to you in class: Julius Caesar, Octavian (Augustus), Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Caligula, or Commodus. 3.) Beginning your research: Remember that your task has three main components:
perceived strengths perceived weaknesses contributions to Roman life, culture, and the sustainability (or preservation) of the empire.
If needed, this last component may be split into three individual components. The research you conduct will be thorough and well-documented and will contain a mix of resources. You may use nonfiction books or encyclopedias from our library along with professional Internet sites. You will have a total of 5-7 sources documented in your project. 4.) Organize your findings on the research logs I have provided you. You will need to analyze your research to determine into which of the three components it will fit. In other words, keep basic information like when they ruled, when they were born, etc., to a minimum in your project. You will focus instead on why these individuals are important to Roman history and to world history. 5.) Do not forget! Document, document, document your findings! 6.) Writing your report: A two-page essay on your findings is due at the end of this week. Your report will contain an introduction paragraph, body paragraphs about the three main components of our research project, and a conclusion paragraph. You may write an essay longer than two pages if you wish.
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
Digging into the Project: A Step-by-Step Set of Instructions (continued).
7.) Next week, your team will create a PowerPoint presentation detailing your findings. Remember, we’re role-playing. As you build your PowerPoint, imagine you really ARE racing to win this competition. Try to impress Mr. Rossi. Imagine this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! 8.) About the PowerPoint: Begin with a title slide that contains free-use clip art or images. Next, present your findings with a minimum of ten error-free slides. That means grammar and spelling must be correct! Proofread your slides carefully. Also, remember the basic rules about PowerPoint. Do not overuse images and text, as it can overwhelm your audience. A good PowerPoint presentation should have an excellent balance of both images and text. 9.) To wrap up the project, your team will then present this PowerPoint to our class. You may designate one team member to do all of the speaking, or the three of you may take turns presenting.
The Appian Way
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
YOUR NAMES___________________________________________________________
Research Log, Page 1
Which emperor did your team choose? _______________________________________________ What strengths did you discover about this emperor’s leadership? _________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
Research Log, Page 2
What weaknesses did you discover about this emperor’s leadership? ________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
Research Log, Page 3
Explain how this emperor affected Roman life and culture. ________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Did this emperor try to maintain or support the Roman Empire? Why or why not? ___________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
Your Works Cited Page
Document here the 5-7 sources you used for your research findings. Please use MLA style to document each source. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
TEAM MEMBERS: _________________________________________________________________________________
Rubric for the “Roman Rulers: The Good, the Bad… and the Weird” Project Essay
Category:
4 3 2 1
Quality of
Information
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. It includes
several supporting
details and/or
examples.
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. It provides 1-2
supporting details
and/or examples.
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. No details
and/or examples are
given.
Information has little
or nothing to do with
the main topic.
Organization
Information is very
organized with well-
constructed
paragraphs and
subheadings.
Information is
organized with well-
constructed
paragraphs.
Information is
organized, but
paragraphs are not
well-constructed.
The information is
very disorganized.
Paragraph Construction
All paragraphs
include introductory
sentence, explanations
or details, and
concluding sentence.
Most paragraphs
include introductory
sentence, explanations
or details, and
concluding sentence.
Paragraphs included
related information
but were typically not
constructed well.
Paragraphing
structure was not clear
and sentences were
not typically related
within the paragraphs.
Grammar and Spelling
Less than two
spelling, grammatical,
or punctuation errors.
Less than five
spelling, grammatical,
or punctuation errors.
Five to ten spelling,
grammatical, or
punctuation errors.
More than ten
spelling, grammatical,
or punctuation errors.
Sources
All sources
(information and
graphics) are
accurately
documented in the
desired format.
All sources
(information and
graphics) are
accurately
documented, but a
few are not in the
desired format.
All sources
(information and
graphics) are
accurately
documented, but
many are not in the
desired format.
Some sources are not
accurately
documented.
Total Points: ________________________ Grade: ________________________
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
TEAM MEMBERS: _________________________________________________________________________________
Rubric for the “Roman Rulers: The Good, the Bad…and the Weird” Project PowerPoint Presentation
Category: 4 3 2 1 Content Accuracy
All content
throughout the
presentation is
accurate. There are no
factual errors.
Most of the content is
accurate but there is
one piece of
information that might
be inaccurate.
The content is
generally accurate,
but one piece of
information is clearly
flawed or inaccurate.
Content is typically
confusing or contains
more than one factual
error.
Sequencing of Information
Information is organized in a clear, logical way. It is easy to anticipate the type of material that might be on the next slide.
Most information is organized in a clear, logical way. One slide or item of information seems out of place.
Some information is logically sequenced. An occasional slide or item of information seems out of place.
There is no clear plan for the organization of information.
Use of Graphics All graphics are attractive (size and colors) and support the theme/content of the presentation. Images are not overused.
A few graphics are not attractive but all support the theme/content of the presentation. Images are not overused.
All graphics are attractive but a few do not seem to support the theme/content of the presentation. Images may be used too often.
Several graphics are unattractive and detract from the content of the presentation. Images may be used too often.
Grammar and Spelling
Less than two
spelling, grammatical,
or punctuation errors.
Less than five
spelling, grammatical,
or punctuation errors.
Five to ten spelling,
grammatical, or
punctuation errors.
More than ten
spelling, grammatical,
or punctuation errors.
Overall Effectiveness
Project includes all material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the topic. It is a highly effective presentation.
Project includes most material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the material but is lacking one or two key elements. It is an adequate presentation.
Project is missing more than two key elements. It would make an incomplete presentation.
Project is lacking several key elements and has inaccuracies that make it a poor presentation.
Total Points: ________________________ Grade: ________________________
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
THE TEACHER’S GUIDE
Dear Teachers,
Rome wasn’t built in a day… neither was this project. :-) It takes my classes at least two weeks to
complete it. Depending on your goals, objectives, and available time, consider modifying it. Here’s a
brief look at how you might approach a schedule:
Resources required (will vary depending on what is available):
1. A computer lab or school media center equipped with Internet-ready computers and/or non-fiction
resources.
2. These handouts.
3. Electronic whiteboard to display the PowerPoint (Keynote) presentations.
4. A laptop or desktop computer for students’ PowerPoint (or Keynote) presentations.
5. OPTIONAL: Video camera to record student presentations.
6. OPTIONAL: Parental permission slips – check with your school – to allow students to be videotaped.
Pacing guide (recommended but certainly not required):
1. Day One: First, I recommend this project as a culminating assignment for a larger-scale learning unit
about ancient Rome. Spend the first day explaining the assignment, answering any questions they may
have. In my experiences, students need to understand exactly what is expected of them before you begin
this process. Begin by explaining the summative assessments: the brief report and the PowerPoint
presentation. These are the aspects of the assignments that they are most concerned about usually.
2. Day One: Stress the importance of maintaining well-documented research logs. From my experiences,
students can and will lose records of where they found important details. Stress to them the importance of
keeping their materials organized.
3. Day One and Day Two: Explain the rubrics. Students want to perform well, so remind them of what is
expected of them.
4. Days Two, Three, and Four: Students should conduct their research. At the end of this pacing guide,
find some examples of good websites they might consider visiting for this project.
5. Days Five and Six: Explain again the three main points they must address about the ruler they have
chosen. Give students time to collaborate and write the short essay. Make sure they understand that they
must also have a solid introduction, body, and conclusion statements, as well as properly cited (as well as
they can) sources.
6. Day Seven: Students should have completed their essays. Ask them to begin collecting images and
templates for their PowerPoint (or Keynote) presentation. It’s best to have these materials collected first,
so they do not spend 20 minutes changing the PowerPoint (or Keynote) template colors. :-) Then, allow
students to begin organizing information they wish to include in their presentations. They should
consider organizing it around the three main points – “the perceived strengths or weaknesses of the
emperor you have chosen;” “their contributions to Roman life, culture, and the sustainability of the
empire;” and “Also, be able to answer the following questions: Was this emperor good for the citizens of
the Roman Empire? Why or why not?”
Created by Christopher Mitchell, [email protected]
7. Day Eight: Return the students’ essays with corrections and suggestions for what information they
might wish to emphasize in their presentations. Students should
8. Days Nine and Ten: Students present their findings. Sometimes, I encourage “crazy dress-up days” for
this aspect of the project, depending on how willing students are to do so. I have had students wear togas
over their clothes for the presentations. Consider filming them if you have permission. It is also good
public speaking practice.
This list contains online websites for research (links checked February 24, 2012):
Emperors of the Roman Empire
http://rome.mrdonn.org/emperors.html
An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families
http://www.roman-emperors.org
Famous Romans
http://www.roman-empire.net/children/famous.html
Illustrated History of the Roman Empire (a bit difficult to navigate, but it does contain some good
information)
http://www.roman-empire.net
5 Good Roman Emperors (if you trust About.com - personally, I think these entries are acceptable)
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/goodemperors/ig/5-Good-Emperors/
5 Worst Roman Emperors
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/emperors/tp/070810-5-Worst-Roman-Emperors.htm
Kidipede - Ancient Rome
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/
BBC's Romans: City of Rome
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/romans/city_of_rome/
Roman Emperors
http://www.roman-colosseum.info/roman-emperors/index.htm
The Rulers of Rome
http://www.royalty.nu/Europe/Rome/
