Cooperative Group Project Lesson Plan

Latin: The Language of Ancient Rome

Class Latin Dictionary

Objectives
The students will:
 Identify and discuss the origins of Latin. (DOK 2)
 Become familiar with basic Latin words and their meanings. (DOK 2)
 Practice group work skills.

Materials: white board, markers, list of Latin words with translation for each group, blank white
paper, pens or pencils, instruction sheet for each group, one laptop for each group

Write the following rules for group work on the white board:
1. Get in your assigned group without complaining.
2. Work together.
3. Talk in a low voice.
4. Every group member helps with the work.
5. Stay on task.

Write the following group jobs on the board.

1. Leader
2. Materials Manager
3. Spokesperson
4. Encourager:

Opening Set: 3 Minutes

 Ask students what language the Ancient Romans used. Discuss briefly.
 Tell students they are going to work in cooperative groups to create a Latin dictionary.

Learning Tasks: 50 Minutes

1. Explain that you will randomly divide the class into groups of 3-4 students. Each student
will have a job that will be decided on by the group (if the group can’t agree, the teacher
will assign the jobs). Every group will have a leader, who will direct the work and make
sure everyone helps; a Materials Manager, who will pass out materials and collect
everything at the end of class; and a Spokesperson, who will speak for the group to the
class. If the group has 4 people, there will also be an Encourager, who will help keep
everyone motivated.
 2. Tell the students that everyone will go by the rules for group activities. Point out the rules
on the board and go over them briefly.
3. Explain that each group will be given a list of Latin nouns with translations. The group
members will work together to read over the word list and decide on 5 words from the list
for their dictionary pages. They will look up their selected words using a laptop to see
how to correctly pronounce them.
4. For the dictionary pages, the group will put one word per sheet with the Latin word at the
top and the English word at the bottom. In the space, they will draw an illustration that
shows the word meaning.
5. Have students count off based on how many groups there will be (based on class size).
Have all the 1’s sit together, the 2’s sit together, etc. Once they are in their groups, they
should decide on the group jobs.
6. The Materials Manager from each group will hand out white paper, Latin word lists, and
instruction sheets. They will also make sure each group has a laptop.
7. Walk around to monitor and assist as the groups work on their dictionary pages.
8. Let the students know how much time is left by making an announcement at the 10 and 5
minute mark.

Closure: 4 minutes

 Call on the spokesperson for each group and have them briefly share one word with the
class, pronounce it, explain the meaning, and show the chosen illustration.