Alabama Social Studies SS24.8.1b

Social Studies8th GradeEffects of the Fall of Rome

The Standard

SS24.8.1: Analyze the economic, political, and social consequences of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.

Explain the rise of Germanic kingdoms, the migration of their peoples, and the effect on political boundaries in Europe.

2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students trace where groups such as the Franks and Visigoths moved as Roman rule weakened in the west. They explain how these groups took control of parts of Europe and formed kingdoms.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can locate the Franks in Gaul, the Visigoths in Iberia, and the Ostrogoths in Italy on a map around 500 CE. They can explain how the map changed as Roman control gave way to new rulers.
Common Misconceptions: Students may picture one sudden invasion that ended Roman rule everywhere. They may also assume the new kingdoms had the same borders as modern France, Spain, and Italy.
How to Assess It: Give students outline maps of western Europe around 400 and 500 CE. Ask them to mark the Frankish and Visigothic kingdoms on the later map and write one sentence about what changed.

Lesson moves

Give groups two printed maps and colored sticky notes to mark Roman territory around 400 CE and three kingdoms around 500 CE.
Show maps from 400 and 500 CE, then ask pairs, "Why did Gaul have new rulers, and what changed on the map?"
Play a map match: students place Franks, Visigoths, and Ostrogoths cards on Gaul, Iberia, or Italy.
Have students compare a current map of France, Spain, and Italy with a 500 CE map and circle two border differences.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SS24.8.1b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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