Visit Mount Vesuvius and learn what happened on that August day in A.D. 76 when two cities were buried in ash. Create your own volcano out of ice cream and learn more about rocks, minerals and the study of the earth. Meet the people of ancient Rome and discover what made them great and also what made their nation – the mighty Roman Empire crumble. Travel to a time when Jesus was beginning His earthly ministry and touching lives. Meet people who could not see that Jesus was their Messiah, and follow the story as Christ becomes the one true sacrifice for our sins. Learn about prophecy and listen to Handel's Messiah. Write essays on ancient Rome and invite your family to an ancient Roman Feast.

What are some highlights from the unit on Ancient Rome?

Studies and activities on: Rocks, minerals, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 76 • Pronouns, singular and plural verbs, action, helping and linking verbs, and verb tenses and agreement • Memorizing Isaiah 53 • George Friderick Handel and listening to Handel's Messiah together - looking at the techniques he used to make the music stir our hearts with its melody and message • The prophecies of Jesus' birth, and the events of His birth and childhood • The geography and climate of the area surrounding Rome • Capitalizing, punctuating and editing • Writing about Jesus' birth • Reading The Bronze Bow, the story of a boy in ancient Roman times whose life is changed forever when he meets Jesus • The formation of fossils and igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks - creationist vs. evolutionist viewpoints • Experimenting with melting rock, erosion, and weathering, the formation of crystals, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes • Creating eggshell mosaics • The people and life in ancient Rome • A character study of two boys in The Bronze Bow • Rulers and emperors of the Roman World • Science in ancient Roman times • Using the encyclopedia as a research tool • Caves, stalactites, stalagmites, crystals, and gemstones • Making and sampling Roman Toast and Tiberian Cucumbers • Interpreting a chart of Grapes Sold in the Roman Forum • The history of Rome from its legendary beginnings to the Republic, and on to the Empire and its fall • Battle techniques that made the Roman army the mightiest fighting force of its day • The art and architectural contributions of ancient Rome • Baking wheat bread • The miracles of Jesus • Interpreting charts on earthquakes, rocks, and fires in Rome • Making an ice cream volcano with gooey, fudgy lava, chocolate bombs and cocoa powder ash • The differences between shield, composite and cinder cone volcanoes • Starting your own rock collection • Writing informational passages and essays on ancient Roman times - taking notes - choosing a persuasive theme - giving supporting statements and examples • The protagonist and antagonist of a story • Adding Roman events to your timeline • Hosting a Roman feast – during which you and your guests will dress and eat like ancient Romans.