Samhain: The Fall of the Republic
The dramatic rise and fall of Julius Caesar marks the death of the Roman Republic. As we honor our ancestors at Samhain, we witness the death of an era.
UU Principle Focus
2nd Principle: Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand Julius Caesar's rise to power and assassination
- • Analyze the end of the Roman Republic
- • Engage with Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
- • Master ratios, rates, and proportions
- • Understand Newton's Three Laws of Motion
- • Honor ancestors and reflect on legacy at Samhain
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Julius Caesar's Rise
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Caesar was ambitious and brilliant, but his ambition led to civil war. When does ambition become dangerous? How do we pursue our goals ethically?
📚 Language Arts
Study Julius Caesar's early life and military campaigns in Gaul. Read excerpts from his writings. Write a character analysis.
✖️ Math
Introduction to ratios. Comparing quantities. Writing ratios in different forms (3:4, 3/4, 3 to 4).
⚡ Science: Physics
Introduction to Physics: What is force? Push, pull, gravity. Observe forces in everyday life.
✏️ Form Drawing
Roman military standards and eagle designs
🧶 Handwork
Begin Samhain crafts; ancestor altar preparation
📖 Story
Caesar's Conquest of Gaul
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Julius Caesar Documentary
- Forces for Kids
Shows:
- Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire
Audio:
- I, Clodia audiobook
Week 2: Crossing the Rubicon
🕯️ Hearth Circle
'The die is cast.' Caesar's decision to cross the Rubicon changed history forever. What decisions in your life feel like 'crossing the Rubicon'?
📚 Language Arts
Study Caesar's civil war against Pompey. The phrase 'crossing the Rubicon.' Write about a point of no return in history or your life.
✖️ Math
Equivalent ratios. Using multiplication and division to find equivalent ratios. Ratio tables.
⚡ Science: Physics
Newton's First Law: Objects at rest stay at rest. Inertia. Experiments with rolling objects.
✏️ Form Drawing
River and bridge designs inspired by Roman engineering
🧶 Handwork
Create ancestor memory boxes or photo displays
📖 Story
Caesar Crosses the Rubicon
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Crossing the Rubicon Explained
- Newton's First Law
Shows:
- Engineering an Empire
Audio:
- Masters of Rome series excerpts
Week 3: Caesar as Dictator
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Caesar made himself dictator for life. The Senate feared he would become a king. When is it right to resist authority? (5th Principle)
📚 Language Arts
Study Caesar's reforms and growing power. Read Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (Act 1). Discuss: Was Caesar a tyrant or a reformer?
✖️ Math
Rates: ratios that compare different units. Unit rates. Miles per hour, cost per item.
⚡ Science: Physics
Newton's Second Law: Force = Mass × Acceleration. More force = more acceleration. Experiments.
✏️ Form Drawing
Laurel wreath and Roman crown designs
🧶 Handwork
Carve or decorate pumpkins; make luminaries for ancestors
📖 Story
Caesar's Reforms and the Senate's Fear
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
- Newton's Second Law
Shows:
- The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Audio:
- Julius Caesar play audiobook
Week 4: The Ides of March
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Caesar was assassinated by senators who believed they were saving the Republic. Can violence ever be justified for a greater good? (2nd Principle: Justice)
📚 Language Arts
Study the assassination of Caesar. Read Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (Act 3). Write a persuasive essay: Were the assassins heroes or villains?
✖️ Math
Solving ratio and rate problems. Using proportions. Cross multiplication.
⚡ Science: Physics
Newton's Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Rocket experiments.
✏️ Form Drawing
Dramatic scene illustrations in Roman style
🧶 Handwork
Create Day of the Dead or ancestor remembrance crafts
📖 Story
The Assassination of Julius Caesar
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Ides of March Documentary
- Newton's Third Law
Shows:
- Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall
Audio:
- Cleopatra's Daughter excerpts
Week 5: Samhain: Honoring the Dead
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Samhain is when the veil between worlds is thin. We honor those who came before us. Who are the ancestors you want to remember and honor?
📚 Language Arts
Write about an ancestor or historical figure you admire. Create a tribute. Research family history if possible.
✖️ Math
Review ratios and rates. Introduction to percentages: ratios out of 100.
⚡ Science: Physics
Review Newton's Laws. Design a simple machine or experiment demonstrating all three laws.
✏️ Form Drawing
Create memorial artwork honoring ancestors
🧶 Handwork
Complete Samhain altar; prepare feast for the dead
📖 Story
Stories of Ancestors and the Thin Veil
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Samhain History
- Simple Machines
Shows:
- Day of the Dead Traditions
Audio:
- The Book of the Dead (mythology)
🎃 Samhain Celebration
- 🟡 Create an ancestor altar with photos and mementos
- 🟡 Hold a 'dumb supper' in silence to honor the dead
- 🟡 Share stories of ancestors and loved ones who have passed
- 🟡 Light candles for those who came before
- 🟡 Perform scenes from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
- 🟡 Reflect on endings, transitions, and new beginnings
📚 Recommended Resources
Read-Alouds & Literature
- • Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (adapted or original)
- • I, Clodia (historical fiction)
- • Cleopatra's Daughter (Michelle Moran)
Reference
- • DK Eyewitness: Ancient Rome
- • Physics for Kids (DK)
- • Who Was Julius Caesar?