Creating a Medieval Village

By 

Debbie Meyer, Suring 6th Grade Teacher

Robin Dickson, Suring Jr. High Math Teacher

Cindy Ludtke, Vocal Music Teacher

[Introduction] [Task] [Process] [Resources] [Evaluation] [Conclusion]

INTRODUCTION

 Stately castles. Shining knights. Beautiful damsels.

Ever wonder what it would be like to live in the Middle Ages? Now you can help others just like you to experience the magic of medieval times without leaving the country. A world-renown philanthropist, who prefers to remain anonymous, wants to honor her ancestry by building an authentic medieval village in our area. This village will be open to the public for their education and enjoyment.

 TASK

Your job as a team is to research and develop a model for this village, create a brochure, and present your ideas in a slide show. To begin this task, choose a role and complete your responsibilities.

Architect - research and take notes on the various types of buildings found in the village; assist with the construction of the model, presentation, and brochure.

Costume Designer - research and take notes on clothing worn by men and women of the different social classes for different occasions; assist with the construction of the model, presentation, and brochure.

Anthropologist 1 - research and take notes on the daily lives of people in different social classes, including jobs, tools, customs, and manners; assist with the construction of the model, presentation, and brochure.

Anthropologist 2 - research food and entertainment (music, games, dance, etc.) enjoyed in the village by peoples of different social classes; assist with the construction of the model, presentation, and brochure.

 PROCESS

      1. Choose a role.
      2. Research information, taking notes on index cards, one card per subtopic. Remember to cite your source.
      3. Write a rough draft for brochure and presentation including information from research.
      4. As a team, share information gathered and come to a consensus about what should be included in your village. Draw a diagram, sketch, or blueprint of your plans.
      5. Build a model to scale incorporating as much detail as possible.
      6. Create a brochure advertising the new village based on your research and model using appropriate images and graphics. All members must be agreement about final product.
      7. Develop a PowerPoint presentation on all the various aspects that will be included in your village. All members must be agreement about final product.
      8. Present your final creations to the other groups. Be prepared to defend the choices your group has made.

 RESOURCES

 General

Daily life, music/dance, games, other links

General information on various topics

Music, farming, games, etc.

Feudal terms of England

Medieval fiefdom

Architecture

Castles

Rooms in a castle (virtual tour)

Castle layout & construction

Glossary terms, medieval architecture & art

Water Machines

Costumes

Footwear of the Middle Ages

Medieval clothing

Medieval costumes

Patterns for medieval clothing, hats, etc

Food

Medieval feasts

Feast and Fasts

Music/Dance

Links to music & art sites, sound clip

Renaissance Band, click Medieval Music

Instruments used, pictures & sounds

Medieval instruments, pictures by group

History of the medieval music period

Chants, church music, sound clip

 Feudal System

The class system, basis for feudalism

Feudal titles, people & buildings on the manor

Feudal life

Daily Life

Agriculture and horticulture

Life in the castles

Medieval work

Castle life

Daily life in Middle Ages, by students

Life in Middle Ages, by students

What life was REALLY like

Medieval technology, tools, innovations

Iron tools of the Middle Ages

Childhood in the Middle Ages

Children in the Middle Ages

Medieval money

Customs/Manners

Manners

Recreation

Game called Piquet

Games

Medieval football

Games

Related Books

Additional personal resources may be used.

EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT

The evaluation process will consist of teacher, peer, and self-evaluations. The teacher rubric will assess all aspects of the activity including the model, brochure, and presentation as well as student and group performance. There will be a Rubric summary at the end of the teacher rubric. The student rubric will evaluate peer and self-performance in a cooperative group.

This project is aligned with the Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards for Information and Technology Literacy, English and Language Arts, and Social Studies.

Many more suggestions are included in the teacher's notes.

 CONCLUSION

Through the creation of your Middle Age manor you will increase your awareness of medieval culture, develop your critical thinking and process writing skills, use technology to create your final brochure and presentation, and work on your cooperative learning techniques.

Upon completion of this activity, would you consider living on a medieval manor?

Please direct comments to: 

 

Cindy

Debbie

Robin