Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

L1: Augustus Principate

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: OCR

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: Augustus Principate

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

3 quick questions to activate prior knowledge about augustus principate. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Augustus Principate.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Augustus Principate. Goal: by the end you can ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. , using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Augustus Principate is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. What is asked? Explain
  2. Recall knowledge:
  3. Apply: ✗ Augustus called himself emperor ✓ Augustus never used the title 'emperor' (imperator was a military acclamation). He preferred Princeps (First Citizen), suggesting primacy among equals rather than rule over subjects ✗ The Pax Romana meant no wars at all ✓ The Pax Romana meant no major civil wars between Romans. Rome still fought external wars to expand and secure borders. It was 'peace' defined as internal stability, not the complete absence of military conflict
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: ✗ Augustus called himself emperor ✓ Augustus never used the title 'emperor' (imperator was a military acclamation). He preferred Princeps (First Citizen), suggesting primacy among equals rather than rule over subjects ✗ The Pax Romana meant no wars at all ✓ The Pax Romana meant no major civil wars b
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Evidence cited from the lesson content.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using augustus principate
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does Augustus Principate work this way?"
A: Analogy: "✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. ". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Augustus Principate in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to the previous lesson / fall-of-republic
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on augustus principate, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Label the Diagram

Unlabelled diagram - write all parts in 1 min

Assessment Criteria

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: Augustus Principate

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from last lesson on augustus principate. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Augustus Principate.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Augustus Principate. Goal: by the end you can ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. , using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Augustus Principate is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. What is asked? Explain
  2. Recall knowledge:
  3. Apply: ✗ Augustus called himself emperor ✓ Augustus never used the title 'emperor' (imperator was a military acclamation). He preferred Princeps (First Citizen), suggesting primacy among equals rather than rule over subjects ✗ The Pax Romana meant no wars at all ✓ The Pax Romana meant no major civil wars between Romans. Rome still fought external wars to expand and secure borders. It was 'peace' defined as internal stability, not the complete absence of military conflict
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: ✗ Augustus called himself emperor ✓ Augustus never used the title 'emperor' (imperator was a military acclamation). He preferred Princeps (First Citizen), suggesting primacy among equals rather than rule over subjects ✗ The Pax Romana meant no wars at all ✓ The Pax Romana meant no major civil wars b
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Evidence cited from the lesson content.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using augustus principate
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does Augustus Principate work this way?"
A: Analogy: "✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. ". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Augustus Principate in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to the previous lesson / fall-of-republic
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on augustus principate, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Label the Diagram

Unlabelled diagram - write all parts in 1 min

Assessment Criteria

Lesson 3: Application: Augustus Principate

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from last lesson on augustus principate. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Augustus Principate.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Augustus Principate. Goal: by the end you can ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. , using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Augustus Principate is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. What is asked? Explain
  2. Recall knowledge:
  3. Apply: ✗ Augustus called himself emperor ✓ Augustus never used the title 'emperor' (imperator was a military acclamation). He preferred Princeps (First Citizen), suggesting primacy among equals rather than rule over subjects ✗ The Pax Romana meant no wars at all ✓ The Pax Romana meant no major civil wars between Romans. Rome still fought external wars to expand and secure borders. It was 'peace' defined as internal stability, not the complete absence of military conflict
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: ✗ Augustus called himself emperor ✓ Augustus never used the title 'emperor' (imperator was a military acclamation). He preferred Princeps (First Citizen), suggesting primacy among equals rather than rule over subjects ✗ The Pax Romana meant no wars at all ✓ The Pax Romana meant no major civil wars b
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Evidence cited from the lesson content.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using augustus principate
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does Augustus Principate work this way?"
A: Analogy: "✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. ". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Augustus Principate in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to the previous lesson / fall-of-republic
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on augustus principate, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Exam Question Speed Round

5 quick questions, 1 min each. Mark together.

Assessment Criteria

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: Augustus Principate

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from last lesson on augustus principate. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Augustus Principate.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Augustus Principate. Goal: by the end you can ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. , using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Augustus Principate is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. What is asked? Explain
  2. Recall knowledge:
  3. Apply: ✗ Augustus called himself emperor ✓ Augustus never used the title 'emperor' (imperator was a military acclamation). He preferred Princeps (First Citizen), suggesting primacy among equals rather than rule over subjects ✗ The Pax Romana meant no wars at all ✓ The Pax Romana meant no major civil wars between Romans. Rome still fought external wars to expand and secure borders. It was 'peace' defined as internal stability, not the complete absence of military conflict
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: ✗ Augustus called himself emperor ✓ Augustus never used the title 'emperor' (imperator was a military acclamation). He preferred Princeps (First Citizen), suggesting primacy among equals rather than rule over subjects ✗ The Pax Romana meant no wars at all ✓ The Pax Romana meant no major civil wars b
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Evidence cited from the lesson content.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using augustus principate
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does Augustus Principate work this way?"
A: Analogy: "✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones. ". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Augustus Principate in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: ✗ Augustus abolished the Republic ✓ Augustus carefully preserved Republican institutions (Senate, consulships, elections, tribunes). He held power through these offices rather than creating new ones.

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to the previous lesson / fall-of-republic
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on augustus principate, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Exam Question Speed Round

5 quick questions, 1 min each. Mark together.

Assessment Criteria

📝 Mark Scheme Guidance

How examiners mark L1: Read the command word carefully — State = one word/phrase (1 mark), Describe = pattern or detail (2 marks), Explain = reason with "because" (2–3 marks), Compare = similarities AND differences, Evaluate = both sides + conclusion. Method marks are awarded for correct working even if the final answer is wrong. Always show your working — unexplained answers score zero for AO2.

Success on L1 questions: Underline the command word, count the marks (one mark per point expected), and answer in the format the command word demands.

Board Notes & Revision Links

This lesson is examined by: OCR J198. Tier and paper details vary - always check your board's current specification.

Follow-up revision: ah20-augustus-principate on GCSE Revise (notes, flashcards and auto-graded target tests for this exact topic).

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)