Topic One (1.1): Overview and key features

Topics Icon.png Objectives for this topic

To gain an overview of the time period and societies that will be covered in this Year 8 course, and then to investigate the fall of the Roman Empire and some key features of the medieval world.

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

After the initial overview of the societies that you will study in this course, using a map and timeline that will be useful to you throughout the course, you are going to start thinking in this topic about the transition from an ‘ancient’ to a ‘modern’ world by considering the collapse of the Roman Empire and the coming of the ‘medieval’ period.

Interact Icon.png Working through your coursebook

Please work through the following sections in your coursebook, completing all listed exercises:

  • Read through pages 22 to 25, taking time to study the map and timeline. You may want to refer to this map and timeline in later modules when you study some of these societies in more detail. For now, complete task 2 of the Apply and Analyse on page 25. You can use the following sheet:

COMPLETE – Worksheet 0.1 Download COMPLETE – Worksheet 0.1

  • Read pages 26 to 28 about the decline of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity and Islam. Complete tasks 1 and 2 of Review and Understand on page 28

COMPLETE – Worksheet 0.2 Download COMPLETE – Worksheet 0.2

  • Read pages 29 to 32 about the key features of the medieval world. Pay particular attention to the key terms, such as feudalism. When you have finished reading, complete activity one of the Review and Understand on page 32. You can add your work to the following sheet if you wish:

COMPLETE – Worksheet 0.3 Download COMPLETE – Worksheet 0.3

Watch the following video about the Silk Roads:

WATCH – The Silk Road: Connecting the ancient world through trade - Shannon Harris Castelo (YouTube)

Bridge Icon.png  Support activity for this topic

  • Consolidate your understanding of the decline of the Roman Empire:

WATCH – The Fall of Rome Explained In 13 Minutes (YouTube)

  • Create a poster that outlines the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam. You could use this website to start you off:

READ – Islam vs Christianity (twinkl.co.uk) Links to an external site.

  • Watch the following video to support what you have read about the Black Death:

WATCH -History of the Black Death - Part One (YouTube)

Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

  • Find out more about the tribes in Source 5. This is Go Deeper question 4 on page 28.
  • Find out about Arab traveller Ibn Battuta or Chinese explorer Zheng He. This is Go Deeper task 6 on page 32.
  • Explain in your own words the extent of the Roman Empire and the subsequent fall of Rome. What do you think was the most significant factor in bringing about Rome’s Fall? You might like to find out about some different historical interpretations of Rome’s fall.

Download Icon.png Check your answers

CHECK - 0.1 Student Book Answers Download CHECK - 0.1 Student Book Answers

CHECK - 0.2 Student Book Answers Download CHECK - 0.2 Student Book Answers

CHECK - 0.3 Student Book Answers Download CHECK - 0.3 Student Book Answers