Performance Task: Ancient Rome

Transcription

1 Performance Task: Ancient Rome There are many reasons for the growth and decline of the power of Rome. Historians may argue about which reasons are most telling, but the basic facts are clear: Rome grew into an empire whose power faded away. Ask students to write a brief essay that explains why Rome developed into a powerful empire and why it collapsed. Encourage students to use their Student Reader to take notes and organize their thoughts in the table provided. A sample table, completed with possible notes, is provided below to serve as a reference for teachers, should some prompting or scaffolding be needed to help students get started. Individual students are not expected to provide a comparable finished table. Students should identify a single effect for each cause given. Strengths 1. Rome s original location made it hard for enemies to attack. 2. Roman government was a republic. People in Rome shared religious beliefs. All parts of Rome were connected by roads. Roman society had a clear structure (patricians, plebeians, representative government). The Roman army and navy grew powerful and committed, and it conquered lands around the Mediterranean. Rome won the Punic Wars. 8. Rome copied ideas and buildings from ancient Greece. 1. Rome was able to grow in safety. 2. Rome had a stable, well-functioning government. Rome had a strong, stable society with shared beliefs and values. Rome could easily move troops to all area to maintain peace and security. Rome was a strong, stable society. Rome was able to defeat all threats and expand its power and control. Rome defeated a powerful rival. 8. Rome built a glorious culture. 9. Strong leadership helped Rome thrive in times of war and peace. 9. Rome had strong leaders like Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus. 132 GRADE 3 UNIT 2 ANCIENT ROME

2 Weaknesses 1. Corrupt leaders failed to solve problems and ignored people s needs. 2. Emperors chose greedy army generals who then took over as emperor. Civil wars sometimes occurred. Powerful patricians were killed. Foreigners joined the army and Rome s leaders mistreated the army. The empire was split in two. Barbarians sacked the Western Roman Empire. 1. Unrest among the Roman population grew. 2. Some leaders put their own interests ahead of Rome s. Internal fighting weakened the empire. Rome lost important leaders. The once-mighty Roman army grew weaker. The Eastern Roman Empire held much of the power. The attacks weakened the Western Roman Empire, which finally collapsed. TEACHER RESOURCES 133

3 Performance Task Scoring Rubric Note: Students should be evaluated on the basis of their written essays, using the rubric. Students should not be evaluated on the completion of the evidence table, which is intended to be a support for students as they first think about their written responses. Above Average Average Adequate Inadequate Response is accurate and detailed. The writing includes at least three factual causes for both Rome s growth and its decline. The writing uses linking words and phrases to connect ideas, demonstrating strong understanding of the subject discussed. A few minor errors may be present. Response is mostly accurate and somewhat detailed. The writing includes at least two factual causes for both Rome s growth and its decline. The writing uses some linking words or phrases to connect ideas. Some minor errors may be present. Response is mostly accurate but lacks detail. The essay gives facts about Rome but does not connect them to causes or effects. The writing may exhibit issues with organization, focus, and/or control of standard English grammar. Response is incomplete and demonstrates a minimal understanding of the content in the unit. The writing may exhibit major issues with organization, focus, and/or control of standard English grammar. 134 GRADE 3 UNIT 2 ANCIENT ROME

4 Name Date Performance Task Activity: Ancient Rome Why did Rome develop into a powerful empire? Why did it collapse? Give three causes and three effects of what happened to Rome. Use the table on the next page to take notes and organize your thoughts. You may look back at the chapters in Ancient Rome. TEACHER RESOURCES 135

5 Name Date Ancient Rome Performance Task Notes Table Use the table below to help organize your thoughts about Rome. You do not need to complete the entire table to write your essay, but you should have one cause for each effect. A few examples have been provided for you. Strengths 1. Rome s original location made it hard for enemies to attack. 2. Roman government was a republic Rome was able to grow in safety. 2. Rome had a stable, well-functioning government Weaknesses Unrest among the Roman population grew GRADE 3 UNIT 2 ANCIENT ROME