Day: 1

Common Core Standards:

2.c Apply the five themes of geography (e.g., location, place, human/environmental interaction,
movement, and region) to describe various civilizations in Asia, Europe, and Africa. (DOK 3)
NCSS:
3. People, Places, and Environments
C3:
D2.Geo.2.6-8. Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain
relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental
characteristics.
Objectives:
The student will be able to locate Rome on a map. (DOK 1)
The student will be able to identify geographical features. (DOK 1)

Materials:
Computer (both for the teacher and the students)
Whiteboard
Expo markers
Textbook (Pearson My World History Early Ages)
TV (instead of a screen for the projector)
Paper
Pencils
Knowing the Geography of the Roman Empire worksheets
Knowing the Geography of the Roman Empire answer sheet

Bellringer:
What are common geographical characteristics?

Opening (Set):
Good afternoon class! Today we are going to start a new unit over the Roman Empire! We are going to
begin this lesson today by learning about the geography of the Roman Empire. We are going to do this
using a fun method that we haven't used before. Though the Roman Empire does not exist anymore,
the region that the empire covered is still crucial to our lives today, so it is important to learn about the
geographic characteristics of that area. Let's get started!
Learning Tasks (Procedures):
A) Teacher will tell students to shut their computer screens until further notice.
B) Teacher will give a practice demonstration on how to find notable geographical features on a
map using China (a lesson previously covered).
C) Teacher will pull up a map of China on the TV screen.
D) Teacher will ask the students to make observances about what they see on the map.
Students should answer with observances like, I see mountains, rivers, and an ocean!
If the students do not know, the teacher will guide them into finding the features on the
map
E) Teacher will identify the geographic features of China on the map.
F) Teacher will pair the students into groups of two.

G) Teacher will assign the students to pull up the website arcgis.com while doing the same on the
TV up front.
H) Teacher will show the students how to create an account.
I) Teacher will instruct the students to click on the Map tab.
J) Teacher will instruct the students to search for Europe in the search box.
K) Teacher will demonstrate to the students how to navigate around the map.
L) Teacher will pass out the Geography of the Roman Empire worksheet to each student.
M) Teacher will instruct each student to fill out their own worksheet.
N) Students will use the arcgis.com website to answer the questions on the worksheet with their
partners.
O) Teacher will collect the worksheets at the end of the class for a grade.
Closure:
Alright students, the class is almost over. I think you all did a great job participating and learning about the
geography of the Roman Empire. Just to review a little bit before the bell rings, I want you all to write down the
name of the sea that separated Europe and Africa?
Students will turn in, The Mediterranean Sea. (INFORMAL CHECK)
Great! Today, not only did you all find out the geography of the Roman Empire, but you also learned some
valuable research tools on how to dissect a map! I want you all to keep these geographical characteristics in
mind because they will play a big part in the way the Roman Empire expanded throughout the years. We will
begin looking at the empire's earliest days tomorrow. Have a great rest of your day!

Differentiated Instruction:
Enrichment: Students that seem to have a firm grasp on the lesson will complete an
online commentary.
Intervention (students struggling or in the tier process/response to intervention): Assign
these students in a group with an enrichment student, allowing them to work together to
come up with the answers to the worksheet.
Accommodation (Students in Special Education with IEP): For those students that have
trouble seeing and analyzing the map, I will allow them to use the big TV to get a better
look at the geography.

Sources:
ArcGIS, (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2015, from https://www.arcgis.com/features/