District 11 Educational Support Services
Social Studies

Grade 7, The Eastern Hemisphere to 1450 C.E.
The Byzantine Empire 

Overview
View the Video Introduction. How can mighty empires fall into ruin or be overtaken by its enemies? As you learned in the last unit, the Fall of the Roman Empire began when it was divided into two regions governed by two separate Emperors. In this unit, you will learn more about the defeat of the final region of the Roman empire, Byzantium. You will learn important concepts of how a country with a weak military defense can easily be conquered by outsiders. You will learn about a clash between religious beliefs and will discover how one of the most historic cities, Constantinople, was attacked and was renamed Istanbul by its new rulers.

Rigor and Relevance Rating: Quadrant C Assimilation - provides opportunities for students to analyze and apply information within a discipline.
Career Connection: This course introduces students to the types of work performed by Sociologists, Historians, and Geographers.

For Teachers
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Daily Lessons 6 7

Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

  • Maps, globes, and other geographic tools are used to acquire, process, and report information about the past and present.
  • Societies are diverse and change over time.

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

  • How did the location of the Byzantine Empire affect its development and place in the world?
  • Which cultural elements made the empire unique? 
  • How do Byzantine achievements impact the world today?
  • Why was trading so important in the Byzantine empire?
District 11 curriculum is designed to prepare and equip students to be successful in the 21st Century. Curriculum resources and lessons included here have been aligned to the Colorado Standards for each content area. In addition, the entire program has been aligned with the knowledge, skills, and learner attributes the Partnership for 21st Century Skills promotes as necessary for success in the 21st Century. You will see the highlighted core values embedded in these lessons and activities.
 
A Academic Preparedness: the foundation required for either higher education, or high-wage, high skills jobs
C Cultural Competence: the ability to understand and interpret political and cultural events from multiple perspectives in a global society, a core competency in 21st Century Skills
H High-Functioning Team Member Skills: collaboration is a core competency in 21st Century Skills
I Innovative Thinking and Problem Solving Skills: a core competency for 21st Century Skills
E Effective Use of Information Technology: a core competency for 21st Century Skills
V Vital Participation in Civic Responsibility: "share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society" Standards for the 21st-Century Learner from American Library Assoc.
E Effective Communication Skills: a core competency for 21st Century Skills

Middle School D-11 Social Studies Indicators 
History
3. Diverse and Changing Societies: Describe basic cultural elements (traditions, customs, religion, language, government), compare and contrast societies, and explain how they changed over time.
Geography
1. Use and Construction of Geographic Tools: Interpret maps, globes, charts, and geographic databases.

Grade 7 Conceptual Vocabulary

Visual Thesaurus - use the approved District 11 login and password to the right: Login is ms68@d11.org and the password is middle2009

alliance
architecture
civilization
culture
empire
monotheism
oral tradition
philosophy
 primary/secondary sources

Research confirms that students must have at least 6 opportunities through varied means to experience the same vocabulary before it can be applied. Here are 6 sample methods for teaching the vocabulary for this unit: These examples are endorsed by the Mid-Continental Research in Education Laboratory (McREL) Six Step Strategy to Improving Vocabulary. Read more about Research on Teaching Vocabulary.
Step 1: Teacher Defines Word 
Step 2: Student Defines Word with Examples
Step 3: Student Identifies or Designs a Visual Representation
Step 4: Practice With Games
Step 5: Practice Application
Step 6: Apply in Written and Oral Communication

Step 1-3:
 Frayer Model for Vocabulary

Step 4: Vocabulary Bingo

Step 4 - 5:  

Step 3-4: PowerPoint Partners Game Vocabulary Review

Steps 1, 2, 4: Quizlet

Step 6: Writing Assignment

Sample Units

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:

Lesson 6:  The Byzantine Empire: Map Skills
Duration: 1 day
      
Standards/Indicator:   Geography 1:   Interpret maps, globes, charts, and geographic databases to locate information about places
Enduring Understanding: Maps, globes, and other geographic tools are used to acquire, process, and report information about the past and present.
Essential Question:   How did the location of the Empire affect its development and place in the world?
Assessment:  How did the location of the Empire affect its development and place in the world?  Why was trading so important in the Byzantine empire?

Activities  

  1. Watch the Byzantine Art Video. Medieval Times To Today page 9. Study the map and describe where the Byzantine empire was located. Which continents were part of the Byzantine empire? Name some important trading cities in the empire. Why were these cities crucial in trading? Go to the Passport to the World and register. Then choose Turkey and learn about the history of this part of the Middle East. There is an online journal to keep notes you take on your discoveries. If you earn 300 points on the Customs Quiz, you will get your World Passport stamped for Turkey.

  2. Examine the land and sea routes. Why was trade so important to the Byzantine empire? Discuss the questions on page 9.

  3. Using the maps on pages 260 in Medieval Times To Today, write the present day countries that were part of the Byzantine empire.

  4. Watch video clip: Constantinople: Capital of the Byzantine Empire. Take notes on the location of Constantinople.

  5. Watch these two video clips and write a summary paragraph about the impact of Christianity on the Roman Empire: The Advent of Christianity (1:15), Christianity and Chaos (3:04)

  6. Watch the Fall of Byzantium video.

Differentiation
Support (RtI tiers 2 & 3):  Locate the Mediterranean Sea on page 9 in Medieval Times To Today.  Why is the sea so important to the Byzantine empire?  Why are there both land and sea routes? Locate three trading cities that are also present day cities.  Write your answers in your notebook.
Extensions:  Design a real estate advertisement that would encourage people to move to Constantinople.  Use a large poster board for your advertisement.

Supplemental Education Resources:  Research Constantinople and its strategic location using the New York School District Website Resources and Encarta Encyclopedia.  Write an essay about the importance of its location.

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Lesson 7: The Byzantine Empire
Duration: 2-3 days
       
Standards/Indicator:  History 3:  Describe basic cultural elements (traditions, customs, religion, language, government), compare and contrast societies, and explain how they changed over time.
Enduring Understanding:   Societies are diverse and change over time.
Essential Question:  Which cultural elements made the empire unique?  How do Byzantine achievements impact the world today?
Assessment:  Which cultural elements made the empire unique?  How do Byzantine achievements impact the world today?

Activities

  1. Watch the video clip: The Byzantine Empire (6:37)and take notes.

  2. Copy the concept web on page 10. Read Medieval Times To Today pages 10-15 and take notes.

  3. Watch video clip: The Founding of Constantinople: 330 AD, and take notes.

  4. Complete Writing Activity and/or questions page 15.

  5. Complete Skills for Life pages 16-17.

  6. Discuss the Essential Questions for this lesson as a class, then write your own summary paragraph answering each question. Use the Four Point Rubric as a guide so you know how your response will be graded.

  7. Continuous Improvement Process - Your teacher wants feedback on this unit so it can constantly be improved. Print the Continuous Quality Improvement Survey and answer each question, or answer online.

Differentiation
Support (RtI tiers 2 & 3): Reread “A Religious Dispute” on pages 14 in Medieval Times To Today. Divide a sheet of paper into two columns. Label the columns Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox. List details of the two churches, including the location of the churches. Draw sketches to accompany your details. 
Extensions: Read about the Byzantine Empire and write an essay about the powerful empire.

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