Book Summary
Two sisters take a trip to Rome, Italy, with their parents. They are interested in touring the old city in which their ancestors lived, and in seeing the ancient ruins of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Teatro Marcello. The family sets out to explore Rome's historic streets, eating mozzarella, panini, and gelato. Then they see a group of dancing women. The performers whirl the two girls into ancient times, where they must discover three places where the new Rome is built on or around the old before they can return to the present time. They have fun discovering the ancient city's treasures, and upon returning to their parents, they are more excited than ever to see present-day Italy. Illustrations, photographs, and a map support the text.

About the Lesson

Targeted Reading Strategy

• Make, revise, and confirm predictions

Objectives

• Use the reading strategy of making, revising, and confirming predictions
• Analyze changes in the setting
• Understand the use of a dash as punctuation
• Recognize and form compound words

Materials

• Book -- Walking in Roman Footsteps (copy for each student)
• World map
• Chalkboard or dry erase board
• Prediction, analyze setting, dash, compound words worksheets
• Discussion cards

     Indicates an opportunity for students to mark in the book. (All activities may be completed with paper and pencil if books are reused.)

Vocabulary

• Content words: ancestors, ancient, basilica, Colosseum, condominiums, gelato, native tongue, panini, Pantheon, piazza, Roman Forum, teatro