Florida SS.6.W.3.12

Social Studies6th GradeRecognize significant events, figures, and contributions of classical civilizations (Phoenicia, Greece, Rome, Axum).

The Standard

Explain the causes for the growth and longevity of the Roman Empire.

Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how military strength, roads, trade, government, laws, and citizenship helped Rome expand and remain powerful. They connect each factor to a specific result.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can separate causes of expansion from reasons Rome held territory for centuries. They support their explanation with examples such as organized legions, provincial government, or Roman roads.
Common Misconceptions: Students may claim Rome grew only because of its army or remained peaceful throughout its history. They may confuse the republic with the empire or treat roads as useful only for soldiers.
How to Assess It: Ask students to name one factor that helped Rome expand and one that helped it last, then explain the effect of each.

Lesson moves

Give groups a Roman map, yarn, and city cards to model how roads moved soldiers, goods, and messages across the empire.
Ask students to write: Which mattered more to Rome's longevity, military power or effective government, and what evidence supports your choice?
Have students sort factor cards into growth, longevity, or both, then defend two choices to a partner.
Students compare Rome's road and communication network with a modern highway or internet network, listing two ways each supports control.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SS.6.W.3.12, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.