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The American Classical League

76th Annual Institute

#ACLClassics2023

Hands-On History: �Roman Board Games and Dice Boxes

Nathalie RoyGlasgow Middle School, Baton Rouge, LA

http://bit.ly/42XFN19

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Hands-On History:Roman Board Games �and Dice Boxes

A Pre-Institute Workshop�American Classical League�Annual Institute, 2023

Nathalie RoyGlasgow Middle School�Baton Rouge, LA

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Nathalie RoyTeacher of Creative Classics

�Email me at �Fabricatrix@gmail.com.��Website, LinkTree, and Blog��Twitter @MagistraRoy�for more fun #RomanTechnology �activities and classical STEM.

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What I do:

I teach two classes �which ANY student can take. �They are both 1-year in length and serve�as elective choices for all students:��Roman Technology - we recreate �the products and processes of �ancient Roman daily life �using experimental archaeology.��Myth Makers - we use ancient Greek �and Roman myths as inspiration �for maker projects.��Yep, I teach Latin too. But Latin is NOT REQUIRED for these two classes.

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Why no Latin?

By design, my Roman Technology and Myth Maker classes do not require Latin/ancient Greek knowledge and don’t focus on languages.�

  • My vision for classical education is to broaden its scope beyond language education to a study of the products and processes of daily life. Much can be learned from experiential learning utilizing, when possible, the actual tools of the ancient classical world.
  • Latin classes are oftentimes too full of content to include lengthy projects.
  • Many middle schools (and some high schools) are looking for electives related to STEM and STEAM to offer their students.
  • Kids LOVE to BUILD and MAKE things, and they want to take classes with this point of view.

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Games Workshop Overview

Lesson 1 - Learn about the STEM of Board Games (30 minutes)�Analyze the archaeological evidence for games in the ancient Mediterranean world.��Lesson 2 - Build a Game of ROTA (30 minutes)�Build a simple board game out of paper or with this supply list, and play with a friend.��Lesson 3 - Play LUDUS LATRUNCULORUM online (30 minutes)�Learn to play an online version of an ancient Roman strategy board game.�Lesson 4 - Design and Build your own Dice Tower (60 minutes)

Examine a replica Roman dice tower, design, and build your own using this supply list.��Lesson 5 - Play IACTUS using your Tower (30 minutes)�Play the “ancient” Roman dice game of IACTUS while using your newly-build tower to ensure fair play.

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Games - Lesson 1

Lesson 1 - 30 minutes

Learn about the STEM of Board GamesAnalyze the archaeological evidence for games in the ancient Mediterranean world.����

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Games - Lesson 2

Lesson 1 - 30 minutes

Learn about the STEM of Board GamesAnalyze the archaeological evidence for games in the ancient Mediterranean world.

Lesson 2 - 30 minutes

Build a Game of ROTABuild a simple board game out of paper or with this supply list, and play with a friend.����

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Games - Lesson 3

Lesson 1 - 30 minutes

Learn about the STEM of Board Games�Analyze the archaeological evidence for games in the ancient Mediterranean world.

Lesson 2 - 30 minutes

Build a Game of ROTA�Build a simple board game out of paper or with this supply list, and play with a friend.��Lesson 3 - 30 minutes�Play LUDUS LATRUNCULORUM online�Learn to play an online version of an ancient Roman strategy board game.����

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What’s STEM �or STEAM?

STEM (or STEAM) is an educational movement of the last decade which has been fueled by industry’s need to hire qualified workers: ��It stands for:�Science - Studying the world around us�Technology - Using tools to learn and work�Engineering - Designing and building things�Art - Making things attractive and engaging�Math - Measuring things and results

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Why STEM?

Fueled by industry and the need �for qualified people to fill jobs �in industry, STEM is not JUST about �the KNOWLEDGE but also the SKILLS.��The “soft skills” listed here are cited �by industry employers as needed �for those who want to be successful �in STEM or STEAM careers. �Do you see a connection to world language instruction?

  • Decision Making
  • Problem Solving
  • Adaptability
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Creative Thinking
  • Critical Thinking

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Questions to Ponder?

As a humanities teacher, you may think of STEM classes as an enemy competing with your classes for students. But let’s consider a couple of questions:��1. Do we classicists expect EVERY student we teach to become Latin teachers?�Connecting classics to STEM subjects and interests draws students who may be taking OTHER languages but are interested in the ancient classical world.��2. Should ONLY Latin students be able to study classics?�Just because a kid thinks that Spanish is the better route for their life, that kid should still have a chance to learn about the classical world in a rich and substantial way.��The classes I teach are meant to meet the needs of students who can’t

or don’t take Latin.

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  • Decision Making
  • Problem Solving
  • Adaptability
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Creativity
  • Critical Thinking

+

Challenges

=

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The EDP

Many people think of STEM as only the components of the acronym, but it’s really about the PROCESS!

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Games - Lesson 4

Lesson 4 - 60 minutes

Design and Build your own Dice Tower

Examine a replica Roman dice tower, design, and build your own using this supply list. ��Steps:��1. Learn��2. Design��3. Build with this supply list��4. Test��5. Play���

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Games - Lesson 5

Lesson 4 - 60 minutes

Design and Build your own Dice Tower

Examine a replica Roman dice tower, design, and build your own using this supply list.��Lesson 5 - (30 minutes)�Play IACTUS using your Tower�Play the “ancient” Roman dice game of IACTUS while using your newly-build tower to ensure fair play.�����

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How can I use these lessons?

Summer Camps�Recruitment Outreach (Maker Faire)�JCL ActivitiesClass Projects�Latin or Myth Clubs

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Questions?

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76th Annual Institute

#ACLClassics2023

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Nathalie RoyTeacher of Creative Classics

Email me at �Fabricatrix@gmail.com.��Website and Linktree��Twitter @MagistraRoy�for more fun #RomanTechnology �activities and classical STEM.