Points
Partner Grading
Possible
15
Your group has rated
that you contributed
greatly to the
completed project and
performed all your
assigned duties with
excellence.
10
Your group has rated
that you contributed to
the completed project
and performed most of
your assigned duties
5
Your group has rated
that you contributed to
the completed project
1
Your group has rated
that you contributed
very little to the
completed project
Essential Questions
Students have
answered all 4
questions with detailed,
descriptive answers
reflecting scholarly
research that has not be
plagiarized
Students have
answered all 4
questions with research
that has not be
plagiarized
Students have
answered 3 of the
questions with research
that has not be
plagiarized
Students have
answered 2 of the
questions with research
that has not be
plagiarized
Total points possible 75
A = 68 – 75
D = 45 – 52
B = 60 – 67
F = 44 and below
C = 53 – 59
Physical Project
Project resembles
realistic middle age
design with effort
that reflects intense
topical research
Project resembles
middle age design
with effort that
reflects topical
research
Project resembles
middle age design
Project poorly
resembles middle
age design
Presentation
All group members describe
their topic during PP in a
professional, neat manner.
Each slide has a picture to
represent knowledge learned.
Use notecards/make eye
contact – face the audience.
Some group members describe
topic during PP in a
professional, neat manner.
Most slides have a picture to
represent knowledge learned.
All group members describe
their topic during PP. Issues
with professionalism. Some
slides have pictures to
represent knowledge learned.
One group member speaks
with little preparation of their
topic. Little to no pictures are
included.
Works Cited
Citation of primary
sources in MLA
format in the PP or
outline. Neat with 1
book; 2 websites
Citation may contain
small format errors in
the PP presentation.
Neat with 1 book; 1
website
Citation contains
format errors in the
PP presentation. Neat
with only website
resources
Little or no citations
given. Unreliable
sources not in MLA
format.
Middle Ages Research Project
By Royal Proclamation of the 10th Grade Court
Hear ye, hear ye! Loyal students of Leavenworth!
The Royal Court of Coach Johnston’s World History class has hereby commanded that all of the students will select a topic of their choice about the
Middle Ages for a research project. Their Supreme Majesties have asked that their loyal subjects select an area that they have a genuine interest in
and that they will enjoy learning about.
Their Highnesses have suggested the following topics:
Medieval Castles
Shields/Coat of Arms
Knighthood
The Task
Working in groups of four, each group will select what they would like to research. Upon having your topic approved, the group will research your
subject and begin the process of gathering your information. The final project will consist of two parts: a PowerPoint Presentation and a physical
example. Remember that the Middle Ages lasted from about 500 A.D. (C.E.) until 1500 A.D. (C.E.). Your information should span this time period.
Groups will have to purchase their own project material. The requirements and rubric for this assignment are on the back of this sheet. Students will
create both a PowerPoint Presentation explaining the four essential questions as well as a physical representation of their project. We will use
multiple library days, but work on the project will be needed outside of school as well. The names of all members should be listed in your
PowerPoint Presentation.
Students will work in teams to create a project which examines life in the Middles Ages, listed is the project description for each topic:
1 - Castle Construction & Defense
Medieval castles in Europe were built over a period of more than 500 years - from around 1000 AD to 1550 AD. Indeed they were built so well that many
medieval castles (or at the very least their ruins) can still be seen today - a legacy that allows us the privilege of some truly tangible history. Medieval Castles were
an architectural style that developed of several hundred years and were a necessity to keep the people inside safe from enemies. Over time they developed many
ingenious ways of defense
Essential Questions:
1. How and where did castle construction originate?
2. What were the parts and places of a castle?
3. What was daily life like for all who resided in the castle walls?
4. What did castles use for defense?
Resources:
http://www.medieval-castle.com/
http://medievalcastles.stormthecastle.com/
http://medievalcastles.stormthecastle.com/essays/how-to-build-a-medieval-castle-project-for-school.htm
Physical Project:
Create a castle
2 - Shield/Coat of Arms
Coats of Arms date to the early Middle Ages. In the early twelfth century, helmets and other armor began making it difficult to tell armed warriors apart. The
solution was for each knight or soldier to paint something personal on their shield. These designs were important in battle, but they also functioned like team
uniforms when knights met in tournaments. Over time, shield emblem designs became enduring symbols of their owners, and of their owners' families.
Essential Questions:
1. What did a coat of arms symbolize?
2. How and where did they originate?
3. What did each part of the shield design represent?
4. For what purposes and occasions were they used?
Resources:
http://www.ehow.com/how_8120950_class-projects-make-medieval-shields.html
http://www.storyboardtoys.com/gallery/coat-of-arms-lesson-plan.htm
http://medieval.stormthecastle.com/armorypages/medieval_shields.htm
Physical Project:
Create a coat of arms about your group, personality, or heritage
3 - Knighthood
The medieval knight was the equivalent of the modern tank and the most important medieval soldier. He was covered in multiple layers of armor, and could plow
through foot soldiers standing in his way. Knights were also generally the wealthiest of the three types of soldiers and in return for military service, the knight
received a fief.
Essential Questions:
1. How did knighthood develop in feudal society?
2. What was the path someone would take to becoming a knight?
3. How did a knight fight in battle? Describe their weaponry and armor.
4. What were the knight’s responsibilities? To their family, village, lord
Physical Project:
Create of construct a Knight’s Armor or one of a knight’s chosen weapons
- Do not create an actual weapon! Just create a simulation made of cardboard or wood
- If it is a weapon make sure it is modeled after a specific medieval weapon
Resources:
http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/fief/medknight.html
http://www.knight-medieval.com/knight-medieval-weapons.htm
Resources
You should begin to gather information for your report from books in provided by the teachers, as well as resources from the school and public
library, along with the internet. These citations must be included in your PowerPoint Presentation.
Each group is required to use at least:
• One reference book (physical, not cyber!)
• Two Internet resources (not Wikipedia)
Students are also required to complete a bibliography, written in MLA format.
MLA Citation Help –
Purdue Online Writing Lab & also located in your handbook
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/12/
Use www.easybib.com
The Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
Select partners
Select a topic – discuss backup topics
Convey topic to Mr. Johnston
Organize a plan for research
- who will conduct internet research
- who will find text research
- who will research out of the textbook
- what essential questions will each member tackle
- what will you do if a person is absent on library day
5. Exchange info for study groups
6. Find resources
- How will you record your resources
7. Summarize information
8. Organize information
- How will you communicate to each other?
- Where will you store info?
- Will you use google docs?
9. Find and save images
10. Build your power point
11. Create your physical project
- How will you divide the labor?
- Who will research how to build the project?
- How will you purchase materials?
- How will you meet to complete the project?
Workdays:
Wed/Thurs, September 16/17
Friday, LIBRARY WORKDAY: September 18
Wed/Thurs, September 23/24
Monday, October 5
Project Due – Tuesday, October 6th