Florida SS.6.W.3.15

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

The Standard

Explain the reasons for the gradual decline of the Western Roman Empire after the Pax Romana.

Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify political instability, economic problems, military pressure, overexpansion, and division as causes of Western Rome’s decline. They explain how these problems built on one another over time.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can describe several causes and connect each cause to a specific effect. They can explain why Western Rome weakened gradually rather than collapsing because of one event.
Common Misconceptions: Students may blame the decline only on barbarian invasions or treat it as a sudden collapse. They may also confuse the Western Empire’s fall with the end of the Eastern Roman Empire.
How to Assess It: Give students this exit prompt: Name three causes of Western Rome’s decline, then explain how two of them were connected.

Lesson moves

Give pairs cause and effect cards, then have them build a chain showing how Roman problems made other problems worse.
Ask students to write: Which weakened Western Rome most, political instability, economic trouble, or military pressure? Defend your choice with two facts.
Play a matching game where teams pair problems such as high taxes, weak emperors, and invasions with their effects on Rome.
Have students examine a city budget scenario and explain how shrinking revenue, rising defense costs, and unstable leadership can strain a government.

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