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High School Medieval World History

Explore medieval world history with creative projects & activities like designing a coat of arms & a Byzantine-style mosaic. This course is an excellent history elective for high schoolers seeking both creativity & in-depth learning.
Janelle Hopkins, M.Ed - World & US History
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(347)
Star Educator
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per week
Projects
1 hour per week. Upon request and before the class begins, families can choose to receive grades and/or feedback for in-class activities and projects.
Letter Grade
Upon request and before the class begins, families can opt to receive grades and/or feedback.

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner Level
Dive deep into the captivating world of the Middle Ages in this weekly (ongoing) high school medieval history class, perfect for artistic and visual learners. This course combines rich historical content with in-class creative activities and projects, making history come alive through hands-on activities such as designing medieval coats of arms and Byzantine-style mosaics. Ideal as a history elective, this class provides a comprehensive exploration of the Middle Ages, blending interactive discussions, lectures, and creative projects to maintain student engagement.

Every week focuses on a new medieval topic, ensuring a dynamic and immersive learning experience. My teaching style is student-centered, encouraging active participation and creativity. Discussions, visual aids, and slides supplement interactive lectures, offering a multi-sensory approach to learning.

No prior knowledge is required, and learners can join anytime. We offer quick summaries of relevant information from previous sessions to ensure continuity. This course is designed to meet the diverse needs of high school learners, providing both creativity and in-depth understanding of historical events.

*Please note that our exploration of each topic may evolve based on class interest, and the schedule might adapt accordingly. I will provide weekly updates to keep you informed of our class plan.


****Tentative Weekly Topics and Activities/Projects:****

Week of September 23: Fall of Rome & Intro to the Middle Ages

Week of September 30: Vikings & Norse Mythology
In-class activity: modern versions of Norse gods or goddesses; incorporating contemporary fashion, technology, or urban settings into the design.

Week of October 7: Vikings & Norse Mythology
In-class activity: draw/design a Viking shield; incorporating elements of Norse mythology or symbols of strength, protection, and honor.

Week of October 14: Geography of Europe, Africa & Asia
In-class activity: Medieval Geography & Trade Route Maps
Create hand-drawn maps (or complete a map) tracing major medieval trade routes across Europe, Africa, and Asia; highlighting key routes such as the Silk Road and Trans-Saharan routes, along with important geographic features like mountain ranges, rivers, deserts, and oceans. They can also illustrate imaginary travelers, markets, and the goods being traded along the routes, adding creative touches with famous landmarks and natural obstacles.

Week of October 21: The Medieval Church - Art & Influence
In-class activity: Design a stained glass window inspired by medieval church art; incorporating symbolism.

Week of October 28: Origins of Halloween, Witches & Medieval Justice
In-class activity: 
-Design a medieval superstitions poster that showcases various medieval superstitions about the supernatural.
-Design a haunted medieval castle, incorporating real historical figures (e.g. Anne Boleyn, Mary, Queen of Scots, Vlad the Impaler) who are said to haunt specific castles; including spooky elements like secret passageways, ghostly knights, and dungeons based on the castle’s actual layout.
-Create a courtroom sketch of a fictional medieval witch trial, imagining what it would have looked like in the Middle Ages; incorporating symbols of medieval justice and illustrate the superstitions people held about witches.

Week of November 4: Role of Animals in Medieval Art
In-class activity: Create a Medieval Animal Illumination by designing a medieval-style illustration featuring cats or other animals, inspired by medieval manuscripts; adding an imaginary backstory or meaning to their depiction. For example, why is the cat shown sneaking through a castle, or why is it featured prominently in a religious scene?

Week of November 11: Daily Life in the Middle Ages
In-class activity: Create a comic strip or sequence of sketches that illustrate a day in the life of a medieval person (e.g., a peasant, a blacksmith, a noblewoman); illustrating clothing, routines, tools, and challenges people faced, and how art can tell that story visually.

Week of November 18: Feudalism and Medieval Feasts
In-class activity: 
-Illustrate a medieval banquet hall, complete with long tables, feast decorations, and guests in medieval attire; adding specific elements like jesters, musicians, or tapestries hanging on the walls.
-Create an illustrated etiquette guide for attending a medieval feast, highlighting dos and don'ts in the dining hall (e.g., “Do share your trencher, but don’t grab food with your hands unless it’s bread!”).

**Week of November 25: No Class

Week of December 2: Manorial Life & Medieval Castles
In-class activity: 
-Sketch or design a medieval manor, focusing on key structures like the manor house, peasants' homes, and surrounding farmland.
-Sketch or design a medieval castle layout, including key features like towers, moats, dungeons, and drawbridges. Creative and fantasy elements like dragon designs or enchanted weapons stored in the armory allowed.

Week of December 9: Knights and Chivalry
In-class activity: Design a coat of arms, incorporating symbols that represent their values, family heritage, or creative personality traits OR use the code of chivalry to inspire design choices. What symbols of honor, bravery, or loyalty would they include?

Week of December 16: Medieval/Viking Christmas Traditions
In-class activity: Design a side-by-side illustration (or split-scene design) showing the evolution of a chosen tradition from its medieval or Viking origin to how it is celebrated today.

**No Classes December 23 through January 3

Week of January 6: The Byzantine Empire
In-class activity: Create a mosaic design inspired by Byzantine art.

Week of January 13: The Great Schism
In-class activity: Create two pieces of art, each reflecting the symbolic and artistic differences between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches during the time of the Great Schism.

Week of January 20: Kievan Rus
In-class activity: Create an icon or manuscript-style illustration inspired by the religious and artistic culture of the Kievan Rus.

Week of January 27: Early Russia
In-class activity: Create a Russian-inspired pattern on paper or canvas, incorporating traditional elements such as stylized flowers, stars, or natural forms that reflect the early Russian cultural landscape.

Week of February 3: The Islamic Golden Age
In-class activity: Create an Islamic geometric tile design.

**Week of February 10: No Class

Other topics in the queue:
Medieval Literature
Spread of Christianity After Rome
Medieval Warfare
The Black Plague
Medieval Trade and Commerce
The Rise of Towns and Guilds
Women in the Middle Ages
The Hundred Years' War
Medieval Law and Order
Medieval Central Europe
The Crusades
Medieval China
The Mongol Empire
Medieval Japan
Medieval African Empires
The kingdoms of Mali, Ghana, and Songhai
Transition to the Renaissance
Learning Goals
Explain the political, economic, and social characteristics of the European Middle Ages
(e.g., feudalism, war, agriculture, technological advances)
Explain the causes of disease (e.g., Bubonic Plague, dysentery, influenza), and analyze
the effects it had on European populations
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
In this course, we will cover politically sensitive topics that have had a significant impact on history and society. These topics include religion, genocide, war, weapons, racism, terrorism, fascism, and communism. It is essential to note that my approach to teaching and discussing these topics will be objective and based on factual information. Religion will only be discussed in a historical context. My aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of these subjects by exploring multiple perspectives and examining historical context. We will actively seek out and incorporate viewpoints from marginalized groups when applicable. By doing so, we hope to foster a deeper appreciation for the complexity and diverse experiences surrounding these politically sensitive issues. It is important to create an inclusive and respectful learning environment where learners feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions. Through respectful and open-minded discussions, critical thinking and the examination of different viewpoints will be encouraged. This approach will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of these politically sensitive topics and their implications throughout history. My goal is to equip learners with the knowledge and tools to engage in informed discussions and navigate complex historical and social issues. By exploring these topics objectively and considering diverse perspectives, we can promote empathy, understanding, and critical analysis among learners.
Supply List
Please ensure that you have the following supplies for the course:

Paper: It is recommended to have a variety of paper types, such as lined paper for note-taking and plain paper for drawing or writing activities.
Pen/Pencil: A reliable pen or pencil for writing and completing assignments.
Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils: These coloring tools will be useful for creative projects and adding visual elements to your assignments.
Printer: Access to a printer will be necessary to print out resources provided by the teacher or to access digital documents.
Folder or Binder: If you choose to use hard copy printouts, it is strongly suggested to have a folder or binder to keep your materials organized and easily accessible.

For digital worksheets, please refer to the 'Materials' section where a list of recommended third-party websites will be provided.

Make sure to have these supplies ready to fully participate in the course activities and projects.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
4.9
347reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Alabama Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Master's Degree in Education from University of Montevallo
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in Comparative Politics. My academic journey included a wide range of courses focusing on various political and historical aspects of civilizations from different time periods and regions around the world. This comprehensive study allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the complexities of past and present societies.

Furthermore, I pursued a Master of Education degree specializing in Secondary Social Sciences, which provided me with advanced knowledge in teaching history, political science, and related subjects. I obtained certification from the state of Alabama, qualifying me to teach social sciences to students in grades 7-12.

Over the course of my teaching career, I have gained extensive experience instructing students in US and World history; dedicated to delivering engaging and informative lessons in these subjects. Additionally, I have conducted extensive research in both history and politics for over 20+ years, allowing me to stay informed and up-to-date with the latest developments in these fields.

My educational background, teaching experience, and research expertise have equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide students with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. I am committed to fostering a deeper understanding of historical events and political dynamics while encouraging critical thinking and a passion for learning in my learners.

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Live Group Class
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$16

weekly
1x per week
50 min

Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 15-18
3-10 learners per class

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