This site contains outline of a lesson plan based on the Roman fort of Vindolanda just south of Hadrian's Wall. Outcome of their research is students writing a letter imagining they are a Roman soldier stationed on Hadrian's Wall.
Spartacus Educational is a UK based organisation providing free history encyclopedias. Entries usually include narrative, illustrations and primary sources. This Rome section is vast and a great place for students undertaking research. Seems to be a lot of writing.