Sixth grade builds Rome in a day...almost

In their history class, Poly sixth grade students experience the grandeur of ancient Rome by constructing a model of the city, comprising around 50 structures, in Poly's own Grace Henley Patio. In their study of the development of the Roman Republic and its transformation into a vast empire, they learn of the civilization's engineering and architectural accomplishments. Working individually or in groups of two or three, students are assigned to research and build models of Roman landmarks at the time of the Emperor Constantine. Structures include such monuments as the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, the Pantheon and the temples and basilicas of the Roman forum. Poly teacher Katie Ward developed this unique project that has become an annual tradition.

Using their knowledge of ratios and proportions from math class and a map of the city showing the monuments, students enlarge the floor plans of their landmarks proportionally to create a scale model of the city. In addition to constructing a model, each student is also required to write a one-page research paper on a person (in most cases, an emperor) associated with his or her landmark. Students have about one month to construct their models at home, and on the designated morning, they bring in their completed projects and "build Rome in a day," laying the city out as it stood at the peak of the Roman Empire. The sixth-graders then don togas and give tours of the city to visitors, including parents, faculty, staff, and and Lower School students. A few weeks later, the city is reassembled for an encore viewing at the Poly Pet and Hobby Show.