Lesson Plan: Christianity and the Division of the Roman Empire
Lesson Plan: Christianity and the Division of the Roman Empire
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: World History
Duration: 60 minutes
Common Core Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including analyzing how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text.
Objective:
Students will analyze primary and secondary sources to understand how the rise of Christianity contributed to the division and decline of the Roman Empire.
Materials:
- Text resources on the history of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity
- Primary sources such as historical documents or excerpts from writings of Roman officials or early Christian leaders
- Chart paper or whiteboard for collaborative brainstorming
- Writing materials
Procedure:
1. Introduction (5 minutes):
- Display the title "Christianity and the Division of the Roman Empire" on the board.
- Engage students in a discussion about the Roman Empire and the significance of Christianity during that time.
2. Historical Context (10 minutes):
- Provide a brief overview of the Roman Empire, including its size, power, and cultural diversity.
- Discuss the religious landscape of the Roman Empire, including the dominant pagan beliefs and the arrival of Christianity.
3. Primary Source Analysis (15 minutes):
- Distribute copies of selected primary sources related to the interaction between Christianity and the Roman Empire.
- Instruct students to read and analyze the sources, paying attention to the perspectives of both Roman officials and early Christian leaders.
- Encourage students to identify key events, ideas, and conflicts that contributed to the division between Christianity and the Roman Empire.
4. Secondary Source Analysis (15 minutes):
- Provide text resources that discuss the spread of Christianity and its impact on the Roman Empire.
- Assign students to read and analyze the secondary sources, highlighting key information about the role of Christianity in the division and decline of the empire.
5. Collaborative Brainstorming (10 minutes):
- Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with chart paper or a whiteboard.
- Instruct students to brainstorm and discuss the various ways in which Christianity divided the Roman Empire, based on their analysis of the primary and secondary sources.
- Encourage students to consider factors such as religious conflict, political power struggles, and social changes.
6. Group Presentations and Discussion (10 minutes):
- Have each group present their findings and discuss their interpretations of how Christianity contributed to the division of the Roman Empire.
- Encourage students to support their claims with evidence from the primary and secondary sources.
7. Conclusion (5 minutes):
- Summarize the main points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the complex relationship between Christianity and the Roman Empire.
- Encourage students to further explore the historical and cultural significance of Christianity and its impact on world history.
Common Core Labels Correlations:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.4
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