Box 6 Romans Rich and Poor

This box provides the opportunity for comparing and contrasting the lives of Rich and Poor people during the Roman period. The box contains a selection of costumes which can be worn by pupils as part of role play. This box would be ideal for supporting pupils during their study of life in Roman Britain.

Ideal for use with Key Stage 2, years 3 and 4

Key learning objectives

• History: To enable pupils to explore what life was like for rich and poor people during the Roman period, by using costume and taking part in role play activities.

Links with unit 6a of the QCA scheme of work: Why have people invaded and settled in Britain in the past? A Roman case study

• Listening and Speaking: To encourage pupils to work effectively as a member of a group using speaking and listening skills during role play activities.
• Literacy: To explore life as a rich or a poor person in Roman times using information cards and pictures.
• Citizenship: To understand the different lifestyles of the rich and poor in Roman society.

Links to unit 5 of the QCA scheme of work: Living in a Diverse World

Box contents

• Costumes for a poor Roman family and a Roman Imperial Family. Characters include a poor mother, father and son, and an Emperor, emperor’s Wife and their Slave.
• Resources include pictures, labels, posters, teacher’s notes and an audio tape: “Sounds of the Roman World”