Byzantine Empire Web Quest: Journey Through the Eastern Roman Empire
Overview
Grade Level: 7th Grade
Subject: History - The Byzantine Empire
Duration: 40 minutes
Learning Objectives
Identify key historical figures of the Byzantine Empire, including Justinian and Theodora
Recognize important places and landmarks of the Byzantine Empire
Sequence major events in Byzantine history
Analyze primary and secondary historical sources about the Byzantine Empire
Navigate digital resources to gather historical information
Lesson Structure
Introduction (5 minutes)
Students will be introduced to the Byzantine Empire Web Quest. The teacher will explain that they will be virtual time travelers exploring the Eastern Roman Empire through a series of interactive websites. Each website contains information and a task that must be completed before moving to the next site. The teacher will demonstrate how to access the first website and explain the digital passport that students will complete as they progress.
Main Activities
Activity 1: Meeting Emperor Justinian (10 minutes)
Students will visit a website about Emperor Justinian where they will:
Read about his rise to power and major accomplishments
Watch a short video about the Justinian Code
Complete a digital quiz about Justinian's legal reforms
Receive a digital "stamp" in their Byzantine passport after correctly answering questions about Justinian's reign
Activity 2: Empress Theodora's Court (10 minutes)
Students will navigate to a website focused on Empress Theodora where they will:
Explore an interactive timeline of Theodora's life
Read excerpts from historical accounts of her influence during the Nika Riots
Drag and drop items to correctly arrange events from Theodora's life in chronological order
Earn their second digital passport stamp by completing a short writing prompt about Theodora's most significant contribution to the Byzantine Empire
Activity 3: Exploring Hagia Sophia (10 minutes)
Students will access a virtual tour of Hagia Sophia where they will:
Navigate a 360° view of the cathedral
Identify key architectural features
Complete an architectural scavenger hunt by finding specific elements within the structure
Earn their third passport stamp by correctly labeling parts of the building on a digital diagram
Conclusion (5 minutes)
Students will visit a final website that summarizes their journey through the Byzantine Empire. They will review what they've learned by completing a digital timeline activity that sequences major events, people, and places they encountered during their Web Quest. The teacher will facilitate a brief class discussion about what students found most interesting about the Byzantine Empire.
Assessment
Formative Assessment: Digital passport stamps earned through completion of tasks at each website
Summative Assessment: Final timeline activity that requires students to sequence Byzantine events, demonstrating understanding of historical chronology
Teacher observation of student engagement and task completion during the Web Quest
Extensions
Create a Byzantine Empire news broadcast reporting on a major event from the perspective of people living at that time
Design a Byzantine mosaic using digital art tools that represents an important aspect of Byzantine culture
Research and write a diary entry from the perspective of a Byzantine citizen during Justinian's reign
Reflection Questions
How did Justinian and Theodora's partnership influence the Byzantine Empire?
What similarities and differences do you notice between the Byzantine Empire and other ancient civilizations we've studied?
How did the location of Constantinople contribute to the Byzantine Empire's success?
What aspects of Byzantine culture or achievements do you think have had the most lasting impact on our world today?
Standards
Standard 8.1.PK.A: Identify a sequence of events through a day
Standard 8.1.1.C: Identify sources of historical information
Technology Integration
Interactive websites featuring information about the Byzantine Empire
Virtual tour technology for exploring Hagia Sophia
Digital timeline tools for sequencing historical events
Online quiz platforms for knowledge checks
Digital "passport" system to track progress through the Web Quest
Materials Needed
Computers or tablets with internet access for each student
Headphones for audio components
Digital Byzantine passport template (shared via classroom management system)
List of website URLs for the Web Quest journey
Backup printed materials in case of technology issues
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