The Romans
Subject Leads: History
Topic Summary: In this topic pupils will learn about the Ancient Romans, their place in world history and how they affected life in Britain. TThey will create
a timeline of the main events, and compare the Roman Empire with Europe and Italy today. They will explore the legacy and artefacts that the Romans left
behind, becoming archaeologists and detectives. They will find out about Ancient Roman technology, and use this as a context to explore the states of
matter in science, finding out about liquids, solids and gases. They will also learn about Galen, a Greek/Roman scientists and doctor who was one of the
first people to look at the human digestive system. They will look at Roman art and craft, focussing on mosaics patterns, and create their own designs.
Year Group: 4
Term:
Trips and visitors
English Non-Fiction
genres
English Fiction genres
Key texts
Maths Links
Museum of London
Information texts
Issues/Dilemmas
Information Texts about Romans, Thief (Literacy Shed), Ann Jungman Tertius series
Tessellation, Geometry
Cross-curricular ICT
Knowledge and Understanding
 Compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids,
liquids or gases
 describe the simple functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in
humans
Working Scientifically
 asking relevant questions
 making systematic and careful observations
 Using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions/support findings.
 Make a list of what they think the characteristics of solids, liquids and gases are - can
it pour? Can it take the shape of a container? Can it be squashed?
 Observe a range of materials (wood, plastic, sand, water, rubber, paper, oil, air in a
balloon, ice, bubble, etc) and group into states using their own criteria
 Compare their criteria with scientific criteria and re-classify materials if needed
 Look at online simulations and animations showing molecular basis of different
states – create a mind map to explain these ideas in their own words
 Find out about Galen – Greek/Roman scientist and first medical ‘doctor’ – relate to
digestive system
 Labelled
diagrams
 Annotated
photos
 Non-Chron
reports
 Biography
Core Knowledge and Concepts
 the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain
Key Skills
 establish clear narratives within and across the periods they study
 note connections, contrasts and trends over time
 understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from range of sources
 use a range of sources of information
 Find out about the Roman Empire – basic timeline to show major events
 Compare what was happening in Rome to other continents and UK – Celts etc
 Find out about invasion of Britain – use range of sources – contemporary writings,
historical texts, artefacts etc
 note taking using selected headings and captions
 Write an obituary/biography for Bouddica outlining her achievements and legacy
 Create a quiz for peers on aspects of Romans in Britain
 Timeline
 Use range of
digital resources
 Comparison
grids
 Play Roman
Simulation Games
 Notes
online review/rate
 Obituary
 Compare sources
 Biography
 Quiz
Locational Knowledge
 locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe - Italy
 use maps, atlases, globes to locate countries and describe features studied
Physical and Human
 describe and understand key aspects of human geography, including:
 types of settlement
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

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Locate Italy and Rome on a modern map of Europe
Use ancient maps to find out the extent of the Roman Empire at various points
Compare ancient and modern maps to see the differences
Locate and name all the countries that used to be in the Empire – compare old and
current names, capitals cities
 Considers the Roman legacy on Human Geography – roads, cities, aqueducts etc
 Labelled
 Use Bing Maps
maps
 Use Google Maps
 Comparison
table
 Discussion
texts
Evaluate
 Investigate a range of existing products
 understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have
helped shape the world
 Find out about Roman tech/inventions – “what have the Romans ever done for us…
 Draw cross sections of road construction and structure
 Find out about heating and irrigation systems – draw diagrams to show how they
worked. Relate to cultural practices
 Design Challenge: make an aqueduct – to move water from one place to another
 Exploded
diagrams
 Photos of
DT
challenge
 Internet research
using selected
websites
 simulations
 to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials,
with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds
of art, craft and design
 Look at a range of Roman Mosaic patterns and designs
 Create patterns using squared paper (Link to Maths) - Plan their own mosaic tile
 Create a tile – using either real glass tesserae or paper collage
 Mosaic
design
 Finished art
 Use software
tools to create
digital mosaics
Art
DT
Science
Possible Pupil
Outcomes
History
Suggested activities/outcomes
(map onto half-termly overview)
Geography
Statutory National Curriculum
(highlight when planning to ensure coverage)
St Saviours Catholic Primary School
 Use digital
simulations – eg
BBC Science Clips
 Take photos of
different
materials
 Digital Research
about Galen
Thematic Curriculum September 2015