Live Like a Roman: Discovering the Secrets of Ancient Rome
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
Live Like a Roman is an enlightening exploration into the daily lives of people during the Roman Empire era. The book delves into the contrasting lifestyles of the wealthy and the impoverished, the structure of society, and the impact of Roman inventions that are still relevant today. It also covers the extensive conquests of the empire, everyday jobs, city life, and more. Interactive elements like craft activities, recipes, and games provide a hands-on experience, while a fictional enslaved child offers personal insights throughout the narrative.
Discussion points
What daily activities of a Roman child do you think would be fun to try? Why?
How are the family roles in ancient Rome similar or different from our family today?
If you could meet one character from the book, who would it be and what would you ask them?
What invention from ancient Rome do you find most interesting and why?
How do you think living in ancient Rome would change how you see our modern world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Relate the book's content to your child’s daily life by comparing ancient Roman activities, schooling, and family life with your child’s experiences.
Encourage your child to imagine being part of an ancient Roman family and ask what role they would choose.
Use creative questions to help your child think critically about how historical elements from Rome still influence our society today.
Discuss the inventions from the book and explore their evolution over time, relating them to modern equivalents.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The story illustrates how Roman citizens worked together to build their society, from constructing aqueducts to organizing community events.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, which can be applied in group projects at school or in community activities.
Example Lesson: Resilience and problem-solving
Explanation: Characters in the book face various challenges, such as architectural dilemmas or political disputes, demonstrating resilience and critical thinking to overcome these issues.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persist in solving personal and academic problems and to think creatively in difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of history and culture
Explanation: Through engaging storytelling, the book brings the history of Ancient Rome to life, offering insights into their customs, achievements, and way of life.
Real-World Application: Children can develop a greater respect for different cultures and histories, enhancing their social studies learning and fostering a more inclusive worldview.
Example Lesson: Leadership and responsibility
Explanation: Key figures in the story demonstrate leadership and a sense of duty towards their community, guiding Rome through various trials.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to take initiative in leadership roles whether in class, family, or play, understanding the impact of their decisions on others.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness and innovation
Explanation: The book showcases how Romans used technology and creativity to solve problems, such as building roads and bridges.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply creativity in their approach to problem-solving and to appreciate the role of innovation in societal advancement.