Reviews
Review by: Jo Dee Soles, Practical Homeschooling www.home-school.com - July 1, 2008
To Be a Roman
Grades 6-12. $25.
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc.,
II. (800) 392-6453. www.bolchazy.com.
Is your student studying Latin or the time of the Romans? The To Be a Roman workbook introduces students to what basic everyday life was like during the time of ancient Rome.
The fairly short chapters-17 of them-present the basics of Roman society: its social classes, religious life, housing, domestic life, education, slavery, urban life, laws, farming, occupations, travel, trade, measuring of time and space, leisure and entertainment, and the stages in the lives of boys and men, and girls and women. Each chapter in this 168-page workbook includes basic information along with several black and white illustrations or photos of various artifacts. At the end of each chapter are questions to answer, and sometimes a word search or crossword puzzle.
Be warned, there is no answer key. However, you'll find two review chapters plus a bonus chapter of additional resources, including books, films, websites, historical novels, and more.
To Be a Roman is not a comprehensive study of ancient Roman culture, but it does offer insight on everyday life where other materials don't. Be prepared to talk about some of the areas of Roman life that were harsh, such as leaving babies exposed outdoors to die because of a birth defect or the fact that the baby was an unwanted girl.
Review by: Kate Gebler, unsepecified - February 29, 2008
To Be A Roman is an amazing book. I'm using it with 4th through 6th graders along with an ancient history textbook and it is great! The kids love it - they're totally engaged and I love it because it offers the depth and breadth that I'm looking for. It challenges while still being readable for these kids.
. . . Thanks so much for all the work you do - as a Latin/ Ancient history teacher I can always count on you all for great references and textbooks!
Kate Gebler