Knights in History, Legend, & Literature (Summer Camp)
In this camp class, students step into the Middle Ages to learn about medieval knights! Each student then applies what they've learned to write a daring story about their own knight. Part military history, part creative writing, all fun!
Nelson Dean, M.Ed.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(306)
What's included
5 live meetings
4 hrs 35 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. After sessions 1-4, students will have brief homework assignments to complete that should take around 10 minutes each (perhaps slightly longer on the fourth day). Students will also have access to short videos from the instructor that provide guidelines and examples for each assignment.Class Experience
US Grade 2 - 5
Session 1- Students will learn why and how knights rose to power in medieval Europe as well as the threats they faced. Based on information learned in class, students will create their own fictitious knight along with a background and an impressive epithet which reflects the knight's strengths and weaknesses. Session 2 - Students will learn how knights trained from their youth through their adulthood, as well as the resources they required to equip themselves. Students will continue developing their own knight by thinking about how their training could lead them to develop a "signature move" to triumph on the battlefield. Session 3 - Students will learn how knights fought and why they engaged in jousts and tournaments. Students will create an opponent for their knight and a conflict between hero and antagonist, considering how that conflict will challenge their knight's weaknesses. Session 4 - Students will learn about the difference between the perception of knights in literature and the reality of medieval knighthood. Students will complete their own "Song of Deeds" for their knight using the elements created on the previous days. Session 5 - Students will learn why knights faded from the battlefield and from history. Students will also have the opportunity to share their Song of Deeds with the class. One last note: for the safety of all of our students, and to ensure that I can work with each student effectively, I do require students have their cameras turned on and be visible at all times. Students who cannot comply will be moved to the waiting room.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
While the structure of the course is academic in nature and the instructor intends to avoid graphic depictions of violence, there will be times that the course involves the discussion of violent behaviors in a historical and literary context.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Primary Source Materials used:
The Song of Roland (author unknown)
Anglo-Saxon and French fealty oaths
The History of William the Marshal (author unknown)
the Knight of the Lion (Chretian de Troyes)
The Death of Arthur (Thomas Malory)
Canterbury Tales (Geoffrey Chaucer)
Joined March, 2020
4.9
306reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from University of Georgia
Bachelor's Degree in History from University of Georgia
For the last decade, I have taught a variety of Advanced Placement classes in a brick-and-mortar high school including AP World History, AP European History, AP Art History, and AP English Language so I have many years of experience teaching this material to a diverse array of students. I also hold a Bachelor's degree in Medieval History with a minor in French, focusing on 12th and 13th century French literature, and have taught a wide variety of classes on Outschool.Reviews
Live Group Class
$73
for 5 classes5x per week, 1 week
55 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-12
4-10 learners per class
