Sixth Graders Show Off Roman Shields

By Alice Roche Cody

Students in Donna Butler's sixth grade class braved blustery spring winds to celebrate their personally designed Roman shields for their Mythology Unit in Latin class. For the project, pupils researched the many different shields used by legionaries or soldiers during Roman times and investigated the best shapes and materials for protection during battle.

For instance, early ancient shields were oval and flat, while later ones used during the British invasion, were rectangular and curved and called a scutum.

Mrs. Butler asked her charges to develop their own favorite shields for a particular god or goddess, complete with symbols. For final presentations, students told two stories about their chosen deity and shared with the class what their symbols signified as well as a family tree of the god/goddess.

"All the shields turned out very well, and my students loved presenting them to the class," said Ms. Butler. The day proved a victory for all.