Autumn 2016
Year 5
Miss Sweeney
Topic Map:
Roman Empire
Geography
Ancient and modern maps – Identify modern nations
which once formed part of the Roman Empire.
Investigate the physical features of Italy – Rome and
Pompeii.
Investigate volcanoes – types of volcanoes, structure,
eruptions, geographic location.
Impact of lava on the development of landmass, soil
quality and fertility, crop production.
Human geography: why was Rome the centre of the
Empire? Features of Roman settlements, economic
activity including trade links.
Investigate Roman settlements in England-Maiden
Castle and Bath – specific features and function (link to
class trip).
Why did the Romans travel so far North? Natural
resources, slave trade, legacy on the landscape
(Hadrian’s Wall).
Science
“Get Sorted” (Materials and Changes) –
Is a solid always hard? Test and classify.
Is a liquid always runny? Test and classify.
Are all metals the same? Investigate properties and
use.
Are all plastics the same? Investigation of modern
materials.
Literacy
Newspaper articles – look at structure, headings and
sub-headings, content and images.
Investigate the use of propaganda in articles. Why
might a paper wish to promote one point of view?
Underground newspapers – the Anglo Saxon/Roman
soldier’s point of view. What do we mean by an
“underground” newspaper? Why might it have to
secret?
Roman myths and legends – explore structure,
content, language and dialogue. Is there a message or
moral in the myth? What might it be and why would
storytellers use this medium to share their ideas?
Develop own myth or legend.
Descriptive writing linked to life in Pompeii.
Diary writing exploring life of a slave/roman soldier.
Class debate based on the model of the Roman Senate.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural
Spiritual:
How did the Romans worship their Gods?
Impact on the daily lives of Romans.
Investigate why some religions have only one God
while others have multiple Gods.
Moral:
Explore the role of slavery in the structure and
development of the Roman Empire.
Are there similarities with our more recent history?
Explore the role of honour and loyalty in the structure
of the Roman Empire.
Social:
Investigate the social structure and hierarchy of the
Roman Empire.
What was it? Do we still have something similar
today?
Explore the position of women and children in Roman
society.
Cultural:
How did the Romans spend their leisure time?
What do we do now?
Investigate the similarities and differences.
Investigate Roman artwork, mosaic, jewellery.
PSHE: “Being me in my world”
Plans for the year ahead
Valuing my school and the school environment
Understanding how to work in groups and as an
individual.
Recognising that people have different lifestyles and
opportunities both in the United Kingdom and in other
countries.
History
Timeline of the Roman Empire and its links to Britain.
Explore what the Empire offered and/or gained from
its occupation.
Organisation of society, legal structure, language,
military development, the role of slaves and gladiators.
Can we compare and contrast with modern day society
and government? Would we recognise any similarities?
Study Roman emperors – Julius Caesar and Claudius
Explore the lives of women and children in the Roman
Empire – education, clothes, games, jewellery.
RE
Explore the importance of the Roman Gods – why
might they have had so many gods? How might the
beliefs of the emerging Christian faith have challenged
the Roman belief system?
Christianity: to know the Christian creation story and
recognise the unique position of humankind in God’s
creation; to explore the responsibility of Christians to
restore harmony and balance to the world God created
– why might Christian feel it is their role? How are
Christian groups responding around the world? What is
Stewardship?
Art
Explore symbols of power in the Roman Empire: Eagle;
laurel wreaths; clothes and colour.
Mosaic: design, colour palette and symbolism; create
mosaic artwork. Research Roman art and sculpture.
Research and reflect the work of an Italian artist.
Maths
Number and place value: Rounding to the nearest 10,
100 and 1000; factors; multiples.
Multiplication and Division: multiplying and dividing by
one and two digit numbers;
Fractions: improper fractions and mixed numbers;
converting fractions; adding and subtracting fractions.
Decimals: understanding tenths and hundredths;
comparing and rounding decimals; converting
between fractions and decimals; adding and
subtracting decimals.
Wording problems; using all four operations.