The Middle Ages Grade Level: 4 6 Teacher Guidelines pages 1 2 Instructional Pages pages 3 7 Activity Pages pages 8 9 Practice Pages pages 10 11 Homework Page page 12 Answer Key pages 13 14
Classroom Procedure: 1. Ask: What do you think would happen if suddenly, throughout the world, all of the governments collapsed and there was no order in the various countries of the world? 2. Allow for responses and discussion leading to the fall of the Roman Empire and the introduction of the Middle or Dark Ages. Impress upon the students the Dark means there were very little records kept about the time period. 3. Distribute the Middle Ages content pages. Read and review the important terms with the students, answering all questions, checking for understanding. Encourage students to do further study on their own as well. 4. Distribute the Practice Page reminding students that these are just a few more of the important events and people of the Middle Ages, and the entire school year could be dedicated to learning about the time period. 5. Allow students access to the Internet or other resources to complete the Practice page. Once completed, review the information with the students volunteering their responses. 6. Distribute the Activity page for the Coat of Arms, the colored pencils, glue, and the student s choice of colored or white construction paper. 7. Review the definition of a Coat of Arms and the instructions. Allow students to be creative, images from the Internet or magazines may be used in lieu of drawings. 8. Once all students have completed, allow each to present and explain their personal coat of arms to the class. (You may wish to make this optional for the class due to the personal content.) (continued) Approximate Grade Level: 4 6 Objectives: The students will be able to define the Middle Ages, and identify various people and events during the time period., and create a personal coat of arms. Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.5 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.7 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.7 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.2 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6.10 Class Sessions (45 minutes): 2 3 class sessions Teaching Materials/Worksheets: The Middle Ages content pages (2), Activity page, Practice page, Homework page Student Supplies: colored pencils, construction paper, glue, scissors, handouts Prepare Ahead of Time: Colored pencils, glue, scissors for the class to use, construction paper (different colors are optional). Arrange Internet access and/or other research resources. Copy handouts. Additional Resources: http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/middle1/summary. html (Content) http://www.britannica.com/event/middle-ages (Content) http://www.historyforkids.net/middle-ages.html (Content) http://www.slideshare.net/halligan/the-middle-ages-introductionand-overview (PowerPoint Content) http://www.imaginon.org/fun/whippingboy/createacoatofarms.asp (Interactive Coat of Arms) VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_hkw4oqgbg (5 min.-life in ) http://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages (Content and 3 videos) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsa_bw1jjfe (4 min. Knights, etc.) http://historymedren.about.com/video/overview-of-the-middle- Ages.htm (2 min.-overview) Options for Lesson: Students may work in pairs for the Practice page. Coat of Arms design may be changed, or allow students to create their own design/shape, etc. Assign each student to do research on a concept, event, person or other related term from the Middle Ages to present to the class. Hold a Middle Ages Fair similar to a science fair. Use a map to show the location of various events. 1
Classroom Procedure (continued): 9. Distribute the Homework page puzzle and review it the next day with the students sharing responses. 10. Close the lesson by creating a Classroom Coat of Arms with the students input voting on what could go into each section. Make it large and display it for the remainder of the school year. Teacher Notes The Middle Ages lesson is an introduction to many of the concepts, events, and people, and only scratches the surface of the entire Middle Ages. Encourage students to do further study and/or expand the lesson with the assignments identified as options for the lesson. 2
The Middle Ages When someone speaks about the Middle Ages, they are not talking about a person s age. The Middle Ages is actually a 1000-year span that took place in and around Europe between 500 AD and 1500 AD. This time period is called the Middle Ages because it falls in between the rule of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Modern Era (1500 AD). Roman Empire Middle Ages Modern Era 0 AD 500 AD 1000 AD 1500 AD Prior to the Middle Ages, the Romans ruled most of Europe. But, late in the 5 th Century (about 475 AD), the Roman Empire began to fall apart. The Middle Ages is sometimes referred to as the Medieval Times, or the Dark Ages. Medieval literally means middle, and the Dark Ages convey that relatively little is known about the Middle Ages because of the poor record keeping of that time. Living in the Middle Ages was difficult for many people. It was a time of knights and peasants, castles and cathedrals, and major events such as the Crusades and the Black Plague. Many famous people lived during the Middle Ages, like Joan of Arc and Charlemagne. Charlemagne receives the submission of Widukind in Paderborn, by Ary Scheffer (1840) 3
Castles The castles built during the Middle Ages were essentially fortified homes for the kings and nobles. These castles were built to protect the both the lords and princes and the people who lived in the surrounding area. The kings and nobles could launch also attacks from the castle. The first castles were built from wood, but over time, builders began to use stone to make the castles stronger. One of the most recognizable features of a castle is the moat, which is a ditch around the castle filled with water to help keep out intruders. Castle of Almourol is a medieval castle, located on a small islet in the middle of the Tagus River in Portugal. 1Alcázar of Segovia is a castle located in Segovia, Spain. 4
Cathedrals A cathedral is a huge church, and often served as the headquarters for Catholic bishops. During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church owned about 1/3 of the land in Western Europe, and many Catholic leaders became rich and powerful. The cathedrals were the most expensive and beautiful buildings in the world. They were laid out in the shape of a cross, had very high ceilings, and some of them took over 200 years to build. Westminster Abbey in London, England was completed in 1090 AD. Some of the most prized art in the world was created inside cathedrals. The stained glass window to the right is inside the Basel Cathedral in Switzerland. 5
Knights A knight was a warrior who wore heavy metal armor and traveled by horse throughout the land. Knights were responsible for protecting the king when necessary, and as a reward they were given land. Usually wealthy nobles became knights because they could afford the expensive armor, weapons, and horse. Some knights protected the king, and others defended the Christian faith and fought in the Crusades, which were religious wars between Christians and Muslims. If a young boy wanted to become a knight, his parents would send him to live in the household of a knight at about age 7, and the boy would serve as the knight s page. A page was a servant for the knight, who served meals, cleaned clothes, and carried messages. At age 15, the page could become a squire and take on new responsibilities such as caring for horses, cleaning armor and weapons, and riding alongside the knight during a battle. Squires also had to be ready to fight. If the squire was brave and proved his battle skills, he could become a knight at age 21. Peasants A Peasant (sometimes called a serf) was the title for most people who lived during the Middle Ages. They had a difficult life and did not have a title like lord, knight, squire, baron, or page. Many peasants were farmers, and were bound to the land that was owned by Lords who lived there. That means they were not free to move their home or change their occupation. Some peasants were free, and worked as carpenters, bakers, or blacksmiths. Most peasants were treated like slaves, had very little food to eat, and worked long hours. Many of them died at a young age. A woman dressed as a peasant from the Middle Ages 6
Joan of Arc and Charlemagne Joan of Arc started out as a peasant, but later became a military leader. When she was just 12 she had a vision of Michael the Archangel, who told her she would lead the French into a battle against the English. For several years she had similar visions and decided to become a fighter. First she had to convince the king to allow her to become a leader of a group of soldiers. Eventually she led an attack on the English and saved the French, But, she was later captured and sold to the English. They tried to find some reason to execute her, and found her guilty of dressing as a man. This was enough for them to burn her at the stake at just age 19. Charlemagne was one of the greatest leaders during the Middle Ages and King of the Franks (a tribe that lived in what is now called France). He enlarged the Frankish Empire into what is today s Germany. He also conquered several other lands, including the city of Rome. He became the emperor of the Romans over the Holy Roman Empire. The people respected Charlemagne because he treated them well, and allowed local laws and customs to remain in place. He is nicknamed the Father of Europe. A gold statue of Charlemagne. Joan of Arc (1412-1431) on engraving from 1858. Folk heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. Engraved by W.H.Mote and published in "World Noted Women'',USA,1858. The Black Plague The Black Plague, or Black Death, was the name for a deadly disease that spread throughout Europe between 1347 and 1350. It was very contagious and without a cure. Nearly 800 people died every day, and it was estimated that between 75 and 200 million people died from the disease. Initially, the disease was carried from Asia, by fleas that lived on rats, which were on the ships bringing people to Europe. Even though the Black Plague only lasted for about 4 years, it took about 150 years to rebuild Europe. There is much more information available about the Middle Ages, including many other people and events that affected history during the Medieval Times and for many years into the future. 7
Activity Name Date Create a Coat of Arms that is personal to you 1. Redraw a plain Coat of Arms similar to the one below on the construction paper. What is a Coat of Arms? A C E F B D A symbol used by knights during the Middle Ages, located on their shield, banner, and armor. Each knight had a unique coat of arms to distinguish them from other knights. G 2. Display the following for each location on the Coat of Arms: A. Most important thing in your life. B. What you what to be when you become an adult. C. A talent you have. (Everyone has a talent.) D. Represent your family. E. Something that is a favorite of yours. F. An animal that best represents who you are. G. Motto for who you are. 8
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Practice/Homework Name Date Define each of the following terms, places, events, and people related to the Middle Ages 1. Alfred the Great 2. Anglo-Saxons 3. baron 4. bishop 5. Byzantine Empire 6. chivalry 7. feudal system 8. Genghis Khan 10
9. Jousts 10. Marco Polo 11. St. Francis of Assisi 12. Vikings 13. William the Conqueror The dukes of Brittany and of Bourbon in single combat. From King René's Tournament Book. 11
Homework Name Date 12
Practice/Homework ANSWER KEY Name Date Define each of the following terms, places, events, and people related to the Middle Ages 1. Alfred the Great An Anglo-Saxon, born in England, 849, fought the Vikings and converted them to Christianity, established a peace treaty with them. 2. Anglo-Saxons People from north Germany who migrated to Britain, the land eventually became England named after the Angles, responsible for the language, culture, and politics of the land, led ny Alfred the Great. 3. Baron Ruler below the king in the feudal system, ruled land called a fief, pledged loyalty to the king in exchange for a piece of land. 4. Bishop Usually the top leader of a church in a kingdom. 5. Byzantine Empire Eastern half of the Roman Empire, one of the strongest during the time period, capital city was Constantinople. 6. chivalry Code lived by the knights involving honor, courage, and protecting the weak. 7. feudal system System of government, king giving land to lords and barons, they pledge loyalty and promise to protect the rule of the king. 8. Genghis Khan Founder of the Mongol Empire, reigned from 1206 to 1227, built up an army and took revenge on an enemy who killed his father, brilliant general and strong leader, many conquests. 9. jousts competition among knights, two knights charge each other on horses and try to knock the other off with a lance 10. Marco Polo Famous explorer and traveler, especially to China and the Far East, a merchant, born in Italy, just 17 when he first traveled, told many stories of his travels which survived the time period. 11. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic friar who gave up wealth to live in poverty, received visions from God, helped build up the church, cared for animals, began the Franciscan order for himself and others to live in poverty and preach about Christ. 12. Vikings People from Scandinavia, Northern Europe, raided many countries between 800 and 1066. 13. William the Conqueror Crowned Duke of Normandy, France at age 7, led troops in many battles, became king of England in 1066, built many castles in England to maintain control, died in battle. 13
Homework ANSWER KEY Name Date 14