Mastering the Middle Ages - A Project Based Walk Through Medieval History

In this project based class, we learn about the feudal system, Medieval knights, the legendary tale of King Arthur, as well as arts and inventions.  Classes will all be interactive, discussion-based.  Toward the end of each class a project based on the day's lesson will be given.

In class 1, we will learn the basics of the feudal system and the reason it was started.  We will go through the classes of people and their jobs and functions within the feudal system.  After the lesson, learners will show their deep understanding of the whole system by creating a class system pyramid.  It will include a hierarchy of all the classes, as well as a brief description of each role within the hierarchy.  

Class 2, is all about Medieval knights.  We will cover the knight's code and all that went into chivalrous living.  We will learn about a knight's Family Coat of Arms and will then create our own Family Coat of Arms.  Colors, symbols, and even the type of shield used all are very symbolic.  

Class 3 will cover King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  After checking for background knowledge with a discussion to follow, we will go over the basics of the King Arthur story and his impact on the Medieval world.  Next, learners will choose a key element or person of that story, and do some basic research to learn five new facts.  Each learner will then create a poster with an acrostic poem of a famous person or object (Holy Grail, Excalibur, etc..) from the many legends of the King Arthur tales.  It should be filled with heraldic symbols and meaningful colors.       

Class 4, the final class, will go over major inventions and art of the Medieval period.  After a covering some major inventions and art, as well as the artists, each learner will chose a piece of art or an invention.  The goal is to recreate the art or invention.  It may be a drawing, physical model, or something designed on the computer.