Lesson Planning
Roman Aqueducts
Topics Year 3
This unit is part of
The Romans in Britain - NEW LOOK Roman Buildings - NEW LOOK
Objectives
History
- To develop understanding about the construction and use of aqueducts to bring fresh water into the towns and cities.
- To research and present information on a famous Roman aqueduct.
- To use a range of materials, tools and equipment to contribute to the making of a model of an aqueduct.
Enquiry question
Why did the Romans build aqueducts and what are they for?
Outcomes
Children will:
- Explain how the Romans carried water into their towns using aqueducts.
- Research and present information on a famous Roman aqueduct.
- Contribute to the making of a cardboard model aqueduct.
Provided Resources
You Will Also Need
A long cardboard tube (could be made of a rolled sheet of A1 paper held with a rubber band) and a marble.
Activity 1: Non-fiction books on Roman architecture (optional) and access to the internet; Sheets of A4 white card; Pencils; Rulers; Scissors; Colouring pencils.
Activity 2: (see PPT): large cardboard boxes with the fronts cut away; Strips of card 40cm x 10cm (for the arches); Strips of white card to cover arches; Small cardboard rolls and an equal number of paper rectangles to cover them; Strips of white card 10cm wide and as long as the aqueduct (or several shorter strips that together make up the length with a 2cm overlap for each join); Pencils; Rulers; PVA glue with spreaders; Colouring pencils.
Weblinks
This film clip from the Science Channel provides an overview of how Roman engineers kept water flowing in and between towns and cities.
Use this BBC film clip to learn how aqueducts were used to supply Rome with water. The city’s drainage system is also discussed.
The Britannica Kids website has a useful explanation of what an aqueduct is.