Building Wonders: Exploring Ancient Roman Architecture
Created byPhillip Charles Alcock
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Building Wonders: Exploring Ancient Roman Architecture

Grade 7TechnologyOther3 days
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we understand and apply the principles of ancient Roman architecture to address modern architectural challenges?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the key characteristics of ancient Roman architecture?
  • How did ancient Roman architecture influence modern building designs?
  • What materials and technologies were utilized in ancient Roman construction?
  • How did the political and cultural context of ancient Rome shape its architectural styles?
  • In what ways can we apply lessons from ancient Roman architecture to solve today's architectural challenges?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Analyze the key characteristics of ancient Roman architecture.
  • Evaluate the influence of ancient Roman architecture on modern designs.
  • Investigate the materials and technologies used in ancient Roman construction.
  • Assess how political and cultural contexts influenced architectural styles.
  • Apply lessons from ancient Roman architecture to solve modern architectural challenges.

Technology Standards

TECH.7.1
Primary
Understand and apply tools, technologies, and engineering principles to solve problems in technology.Reason: This standard aligns with the exploration of ancient Roman architecture as students will investigate the tools and technologies used.

Common Core Reading Standards

CC.7.RI.2
Secondary
Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text.Reason: Students will read and analyze historical texts about Roman architecture to identify key characteristics.

Common Core Writing Standards

CC.7.W.1
Primary
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts.Reason: Students will write about the influence of ancient Roman architecture on modern designs, supporting their claims with evidence.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.ESS3.C
Supporting
Human activities can affect the Earth's systems.Reason: Understanding the materials and technologies used in ancient Roman architecture can inform modern decisions that affect sustainable practices.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Choose Your Gladiator: A Design Challenge

Students are given a scenario where they are architects tasked with designing a new amphitheater in ancient Rome. Their designs must consider technology, materials, and audience experience, leading to a discussion about structural integrity and historical accuracy.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Architectural Time Travelers

Students will explore the key architectural innovations of Ancient Rome, focusing on their purposes and impacts on society.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research significant ancient Roman structures such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts.
2. Create a timeline highlighting the construction dates, architectural features, and functional purposes of these structures.
3. Present your timeline to the class, discussing the importance of each structure and how it has influenced modern architecture.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed timeline poster showcasing significant structures of Ancient Rome with images, dates, and descriptions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.7 (Conduct short research projects to answer a question).
Activity 2

Blueprints of the Past

Students will design a blueprint for their own Roman-inspired architectural structure, integrating the elements they learned about in the previous activity.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review the common characteristics of Roman architecture, including arches, vaults, and columns.
2. Sketch a preliminary design of a new structure, incorporating at least three architectural features discussed.
3. Use online tools or graph paper to create a final detailed blueprint of your structure, labeling key features and materials.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn architectural blueprint of their Roman-inspired structure, accompanied by a one-page description of its purpose and design features.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.6 (Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing).
Activity 3

Architectural Critique Panel

Students will participate in a critique panel representing ancient Roman architects, where they will evaluate each other's designs based on historical accuracy and creativity.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Prepare a presentation of your blueprint, focusing on its historical context and architectural highlights.
2. Form critique groups and present your designs, taking notes on feedback given by peers.
3. Revise your design based on the feedback and prepare a final presentation to share with the class.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA revised blueprint alongside a reflection paper describing the critique process and how the design evolved based on feedback.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.5 (With support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing).
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Ancient Roman Architecture Portfolio Evaluation

Category 1

Research and Analysis

Evaluates the ability to research ancient Roman structures, identifying key characteristics and comparing them to modern architecture.
Criterion 1

Research Depth

Measures the extent and thoroughness of research conducted on ancient Roman structures.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts comprehensive research, using multiple sources to gather in-depth information about ancient Roman structures.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts thorough research, using several sources to gather sufficient information about ancient Roman structures.

Developing
2 Points

Conducts basic research, using limited sources and gathering minimal information about ancient Roman structures.

Beginning
1 Points

Conducts minimal research with little to no reliable information gathered about ancient Roman structures.

Criterion 2

Analysis of Influence

Assesses the understanding of how ancient Roman architecture influences modern designs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Insightfully analyzes and clearly communicates the influence of Roman architecture on modern designs, supported by strong examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Adequately analyzes and communicates the influence of Roman architecture on modern designs with relevant examples.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic analysis with limited connections between Roman and modern architecture.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to articulate the influence of Roman architecture on modern designs.

Category 2

Design and Creativity

Assesses the ability to creatively apply Roman architectural concepts in new designs while incorporating elements learned.
Criterion 1

Incorporation of Architectural Features

Evaluates the effective incorporation of Roman architectural features in student designs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Skillfully integrates multiple Roman architectural features in a coherent, innovative design.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively integrates several Roman architectural features in a functioning design.

Developing
2 Points

Includes basic Roman architectural features with some integration in the design.

Beginning
1 Points

Uses minimal architectural features with little to no integration in the design.

Criterion 2

Innovative Design

Measures originality and creativity in the design process.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents a highly original and creative design that incorporates Roman influences in unique ways.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a creative design with clear Roman influences.

Developing
2 Points

Design shows some creativity but relies heavily on typical Roman standards.

Beginning
1 Points

Little creativity in design, with minimal Roman influences.

Category 3

Critique and Reflection

Evaluates the ability to engage in constructive critique and reflective practices.
Criterion 1

Peer Feedback Utilization

Assesses the application of peer feedback in design improvement.

Exemplary
4 Points

Utilizes peer feedback extensively to make significant improvements and refinements in design.

Proficient
3 Points

Adequately applies peer feedback to make effective improvements in design.

Developing
2 Points

Inconsistently applies peer feedback with minimal design improvements.

Beginning
1 Points

Rarely considers peer feedback, leading to negligible design changes.

Criterion 2

Reflection Quality

Measures depth and insight in reflective practices regarding the critique process.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides deep, thoughtful reflection on the design process, identifying strengths and areas for growth.

Proficient
3 Points

Offers clear reflection with identification of strengths and areas for improvement.

Developing
2 Points

Reflects on the design process superficially with limited insight.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows minimal reflection with scarce insights into personal learning.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

What are the key insights you gained about ancient Roman architecture and its influence on modern designs?

Text
Required
Question 2

How successful do you think you were in applying the principles of ancient Roman architecture to your own project designs?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which ancient Roman architectural feature did you find most fascinating to incorporate into your design?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Arches
Vaults
Columns
Amphitheater Design
Other
Question 4

In what ways did the feedback from the Architectural Critique Panel influence your final design?

Text
Required
Question 5

Reflect on the challenges you faced during the 'Blueprints of the Past' activity and how you overcame them.

Text
Optional