Grade 6 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 13, Lesson 3

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
A Message of Ancient Days

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 13, Lesson 3: Oversea Expansion(pp. 412-418)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Change Great military success made Rome powerful, and also brought the end of the republic.

Describe the Punic Wars, and Rome's subsequent expansion throughout the Mediterranean. Review the reasons why Rome was so successful, and point out that Rome maintained a standing army all the time. Remind students that wars were a great source of wealth and fueled Rome's economy.

Outline the state of Rome's internal problems by 50 B.C., pointing out the ways in which military expansion changed the republic. Talk about the power of the military, then describe Julius Caesar's rise to power and eventual dictatorship.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students write a newspaper account of Caesar's return to Rome with his troops. Their accounts should include statements from Caesar and some of his troops, and reactions from a wealthy senator, a citizen, and a slave. Encourage them to image a variety of points of view in keeping with the problems Rome was experiencing.
Ask each student to create a design for a Roman coin celebrating or showing an important event or person described in this lesson.

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