Jasmine Lin
February 18: De-coding the Code:
Canterbury Tales and the Code of Chivalry
Objectives:
☆ Students will make connections between the poem Canterbury Tales and the Medieval
Society by comparing the descriptions in Canterbury Tales to the descriptions in the
textbook. (Transition into Feudalism from Poetry)
☆ Students will identify the components of the Code of Chivalry by completing the Venn
diagram.
☆ Students will practice their listening skills by identifying key elements in Canterbury
Tales.
Introduction (15 minutes):
☆ Congratulate students on great poetry portfolios, and present the poetry-pal poster.
☆ Free write activity: “Knight”.
Activities:
Teacher
Student
☆ Hand out copies of the modern English
version of Canterbury Tales.
☆ In small groups, share their free write
activity. (5 minutes)
☆ Hand out Canterbury Tales info sheet.
☆ One student from each pair share free
write with the class. (5 minutes)
☆ Read out the Knight’s description on the ☆ Listen and take notes. (5 minutes)
poem. (Remind students about the poetic
form of Couplets from last class: this is
the device used in Canterbury Tales)
☆ Have students read from textbook (p.273): ☆ Read from textbook (p.273) and take
excerpt about Knights.
notes. (5 minutes)
☆ Hand out Venn Diagram and explain.
☆ Go around the classroom to check the
Venn diagrams.
☆ Fill out Venn Diagram (10 minutes)
☆ Discuss Venn diagram in small groups,
make changes/additions if necessary. (10
minutes)
☆ Facilitate discussion.
☆ Share Venn diagram, put the Code of
Chivalry on the board.
☆ Collect Venn diagram.
☆ Watch Youtube clip of the Rap Canterbury ☆ Watch Youtube clip of the Rap Canterbury
Tales.
Tales. (5 minutes)
☆ Facilitate discussion about the relationship ☆ Discuss the Canterbury handout and its
between Canterbury Tales and the Feudal
possible relationship to Feudal society (10
society.
minutes).
Jasmine Lin
Conclusion:
☆ Hand out Unit Assignment sheet and rubric, explain the assignment. (10 minutes).
☆ Question and Answer period for the Unit Assignment (5 minutes).
Extension:
☆ Read pages 256-258 and discuss the main points as a class (write down main points on
the board as students come up with them).
Homework:
☆ Read pages 256-261 in Across the Centuries. (Students would’ve been asked to pre-read
this section of the textbook the Friday before the start of the unit, on February 15th.)
☆ Write down three main ideas from the pages assigned.
Assessment:
☆ Venn Diagram completion.
Resources:
☆ Adventures in English Literature: Canterbury Tales p.54-56
☆ Brinkman, Baba. The Rap Canterbury Tales. Talonbooks, Vancouver: 2006.
Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rap+canterbury+tales&search=Search
(depending on which videos are still available in February).