{"id":293034,"date":"2010-02-08T01:26:09","date_gmt":"2010-02-08T06:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/archives\/2363"},"modified":"2010-02-08T01:26:09","modified_gmt":"2010-02-08T06:26:09","slug":"teaching-ancient-civilizations-with-children%e2%80%99s-literature-ancient-rome-and-pompeii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/293034","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Ancient Civilizations with Children\u2019s Literature: Ancient Rome and Pompeii"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Magic Tree House Research Guide #14: Ancient Rome and Pompeii: A Nonfiction Companion to Vacation Under the Volcano<\/a>, written by Mary Pope Osborne<\/a> and Natalie Pope Boyce, illustrated by Sal Murdocca is an excellent way to supplement teaching Ancient Roman history.\u00a0 It simply and clearly gives a basic overview of ancient Rome.\u00a0 It has great attention to detail and provides many important facts that are pertinent to an elementary school student.\u00a0 It does this in a way that is interesting and fun.\u00a0 It is a companion research guide to Magic Tree House #13 Vacation Under the Volcano, but can certainly be read on its own.\u00a0 It has many facts and descriptions about Roman life and culture.\u00a0 The book begins with the legend of Romulus and Remus.\u00a0 Then continues<\/p>\n

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The real story of ancient Rome is a bit different.\u00a0 Rome was actually founded over 3,000 years ago.\u00a0 Farmers and fishermen settled on hills near the river Tiber in what is now Italy.\u00a0 These small hill settlements grew into a town.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It then goes on to describe how the ancient Roman government evolved over time, including clear descriptions of a republic as \u201ca form of government where no one person has complete control\u201d.\u00a0 Many of the important contributions of Roman architecture are also discussed.<\/p>\n

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Roman buildings often had strong, rounded arches and beautiful domes.\u00a0 The Romans also built sturdy bridges, roads, and tunnels.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There are sections that describe the Colosseum and aqueducts and their uses and importance, including photographs of both.\u00a0 Other information covered includes:\u00a0 Roman military, roads, language, important people, Pompeii and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, a great description of daily life in ancient Rome, and more.<\/p>\n

The book includes maps, drawings, photographs (of artwork, Roman sites, etc), Latin word meanings, and other bits of important and interesting information that would also be relevant to a student.\u00a0 At the end, the authors list many different sources that can be used to do more research.\u00a0 These included tips on how to properly do research from a book, museum research tips and particular exhibits, videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs, and internet resources.<\/p>\n

Curriculum Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n

This book can be used to introduce and\/or reinforce Third Grade Standards of Learning regarding Ancient Rome.\u00a0 It clearly describes a Roman Republic form of government, architecture (including the Colosseum and aqueducts), and Roman art (including mosaics, sculptures and paintings).\u00a0 (VA SOL 3.1)\u00a0 A map in the book shows the vast borders of the Roman Empire surrounding the Mediterranean Sea in the third century.\u00a0 It also describes the physical characteristics of Rome being next to a river and built on many hills.\u00a0 It discusses that Romans were farmers, road builders, and traders.\u00a0 (VA SOL 3.4)\u00a0 Topics covered in this book can also lead to economics discussions related to ancient Roman culture (VA SOL 3.7 & 3.8).<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n