Google Expeditions Lesson Plan

LESSON TITLE

Rome Antics

LESSON BACKGROUND

Grade(s): 3-5
Subject(s): Social Studies/ELA
Number of Students: 20-25

Objectives: To experience the historical city of Rome from multiple perspectives.

Standards:
C3 Framework
D2.Geo.2.6-8
D2.Geo.3.6-8
D2.His.2.3.5

CCSS ELA-Literacy:
RI.4.1
RI.4.2
RI.4.5
RI.4.6
RI.4.7
RI.4.8
W.4.1.B.
W.4.8

Essential Question:
How does perspective influence a story?

Guiding Questions:
What is the perspective of the book?
What is the perspective of the Google Expedition?

Vocabulary:
Perspective

of Study
Place in Unit (circle one): Beginning / Middle / End

Grouping (circle one): Whole Class / Small Group

EXPEDITION PREP

Selected Expedition: Roman Ruins

 Selected Points of Interest:
1 - The Colosseum - Exterior
2 - Entering the Colosseum
3 - Inside the Colosseum
4 - The Pantheon
5 - Inside the Pantheon
6 - Trajan's Market

Additional videos / resources:

David Macauleys TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/david_macaulay_s_rome_antics?language=en

BEFORE THE EXPEDITION

Discussion Questions:
Student Activity (How are students building background knowledge to prepare for the expedition?):

Watch the first half of the author David Macauleys TED talk (00:00-09:21 min):

1. Pause at 05:21 min and discuss

a. Why the author writes about Rome? (he studied architecture there)
b. Why does the author make drawings? (to help people understand things)
c. What are all of the possible ways the author wanted to show his audience different
perspectives of Rome (a scooter, a soccer ball, and a dirigible).
2. Next, Point out the the students that you will continue to watch for a few more minutes as
Macauley develops his story from the perspective of a little girl named Beatrix and her dog Ajax
on board their dirigible.
3. Continue to watch until 09:21 min where Beatrixs journey ends.

Ask the students what is different about viewing Rome from Beatrixs dirigible? (from the sky)

Then begin the Google Expedition: Roman Ruins.

Distribute Google Expedition devices and direct students to expedition.

DURING THE EXPEDITION

Discussion Questions (include related points of interest, if applicable):

1 - The Colosseum - Exterior

2 - Entering the Colosseum
3 - Inside the Colosseum
4 - The Pantheon
5 - Inside the Pantheon
6 - Trajan's Market

Student Activity (How are students recording and processing what they learn from the expedition?):
 Use the Google Expedition question prompts to encourage greater student insight.

Additionally, direct the students to think about the viewing perspective they have during the expedition
(Are they flying? Are they walking? Are they in a car?). Continue to discuss these throughout the
expedition.

AFTER THE EXPEDITION

Discussion Questions:
Student Activity (How are students synthesizing and analyzing what they learn from the expedition?):

Have students read David Macauleys book Rome Antics

Point out that he choose to use a pigeon rather than Beatrix.
Ask students how the Google Expedition was similar and different to the story.
An important quote from David Macauleys TED Talk was that he wanted to create a story
moving you around the space. Does the author achieve this perspective?
Ask for a written response to the following question: In the expedition did you feel like a flying pigeon or
like Beatrix?

EXTENSION IDEAS

What additional learning / inquiry was inspired by what students experienced on this expedition?
Watch the remainder of the TED Talk and discuss the authors journey through drafts and brainstorms to
finally come to a completed book. Ask students to reflect on how the book might have been different if
Macauley had chosen a different perspective.