Middle Ages Edible Project
As part of our study of the Middle Ages, you and your group will research a particular aspect of life and culture during
this time period. The purpose of this project is to allow you to express your knowledge of class content in a creative
manner.
Your group will have three final products for this project. (See attached rubrics for grading purposes)

The first will be a 2-3 page paper answering the questions given to your group (20 %). This must be submitted to
TurnItIn.com. Due ______________________________

The second is a 3-D accurate model of your topic made almost entirely out of food (40%). Due ______________

The final product will be a 5-6 minute presentation that also answers your group’s particular questions in addition
to explaining your topic and model (20 %). Due ______________________________

The final 20% will be in the form of a peer assessment in which your group members will evaluate your
contributions to this task.
***Because of food allergies, you ARE NOT allowed to use any type of nut, raw carrots, _________________________
***If you want the class to eat your model after you present, please bring plates, forks, etc.
***Be careful- if you plan on making the model in advance, make sure your materials won’t get soggy and fall apart.
Procedure:
1. In class today you will form groups and select topics.
2. On ___________________we will go to the library where you will research your topic. That is the only class time
you will have for this project; however, the books will be available until Nov 15. First, decide which group
member(s) will work on the paper, which will make the model, and which will give the presentation. (You can
divvy them up, or have everyone work on all 3 parts.) Then, try to find accurate and thorough answers to the
questions you were given. Be sure to keep track of all sources and page numbers used.
3. Make a Works Cited page, as well as a Works Consulted page if necessary. Complete a Web Site Eval form for any
web sites you used.
4. Write the 2-3 page paper. Make sure it meets the requirements of the rubric and my requirements for Formal Written
Assignments. Submit it to TurnItIn.com. Make any necessary corrections and hand it in by _________________.
5. Brainstorm the list of items you will need to make this, and start deciding who already has/can get each item. Decide
at which house you will construct it. WARN YOUR PARENTS.
6. Prepare and practice your presentation. (Make sure you know how long it is going to last, who will say what, in what
order you will go, etc.)
7. Make the model and bring it in to school on ______________________________. Make sure you have arranged
transportation to school for that day.
8. After the presentations are over, each of you will give a peer assessment for your group members.
Rubric: Paper
Exceptional
-Meets all requirements of standard
English with respect to sentence
structure, grammar, mechanics, and
usage.
-Avoids Forbidden Words.
Demonstrates clear and sophisticated
flow of ideas with differentiated
transitions, and a superior
introduction, body, and conclusion.
-Accurately and thoroughly answers
all questions and provides specific
examples and details. Includes other
relevant, supporting information.
-Reflects thorough understanding and
knowledge of the Middle Ages.
-All sources are of high quality. All
necessary web site evaluation forms
have been thoroughly completed.
-Includes all necessary parenthetical
citations.
-Paper, citations, and Works Cited
include no errors in MLA format.
Grammar,
Mechanics,
and Usage
4 Points
Organization
4 Points
Content
8 Points
Format
4 Points
Approaching
-Sometimes has errors in the use
of standard English that
negatively impact the reader’s
understanding of the information.
-Uses 2 types of Forbidden Word.
Contains a limited introduction,
body, and/or conclusion, and an
inconsistent flow of ideas.
-Accurately answers all questions.
-Generally reflects understanding
and knowledge of the Middle
Ages.
-Most sources are of high quality.
All necessary web site evaluations
are attached.
-Accurately answers most of the
questions AND/OR contains
minor errors.
-At times reflects understanding
and knowledge of the Middle
Ages.
-Few sources are of high quality.
Some necessary web site
evaluations are missing.
-Is missing some necessary
parenthetical citations.
- Paper, citations, and Works
Cited include several errors.
-Includes all necessary
parenthetical citations.
- Paper, citations, and Works
Cited include few errors.
Rubric: Presentation
Preparation
4 Points
Organiz
-ation
Exceptional
-It is clear that all presenters were prepared:
know who will talk at what point, do not repeat
each other, do not have to read from a note card.
-Presentation was 5-6 minutes in length.
-Presentation has a clear, effective introduction
and conclusion.
-Ideas are presented in a logical order.
-Flow is maintained between all presenters.
4 Points
Content
8 Points
Presence
4 Points
-Provides descriptive, accurate, and thorough
answers to all question and provides specific
examples and details. Includes other relevant,
supporting information.
-Reflects thorough understanding and
knowledge of the Middle Ages.
-Effectively uses the model to describe the topic
and its features.
-Consistently speaks articulately (sophisticated
word choice, accurate sentence structure,
appropriate volume and speed).
-Body language enhances presentation (faces
audience, makes eye contact, doesn’t fidget)
Proficient
-Most presenters seem
prepared.
-Presentation was 1 minute
too long or too short.
-Presentation has an intro
and conclusion.
-Ideas are generally
presented in a logical order.
-Flow is usually maintained.
-Accurately answers all
questions.
-Generally reflects
understanding and
knowledge of the Middle
Ages.
-Refers to the model when
necessary.
-Generally speaks
articulately.
-Body language does not
negatively impact the
presentation.
Rubric: Edible Model
Content
16 Points
Originality/
8 Points
Appearance
8 Points
Craftsmanship
8 Points
Exceptional
Is consistently an accurate model of
the topic; includes all necessary
features.
Represents the topic in several
unique/creative ways.
Model is sturdy, neat and attractive,
and easily viewed by the class.
Model is made entirely out of food
(except for the base and toothpicks).
Proficient
Generally is an accurate model of
the topic; is missing 1 necessary
feature.
Represents the topic with
creativity.
Model is 2 of the following:
sturdy, neat and attractive, or
easily viewed by the class.
Model includes 1 non-food item.
Rubric: Peer Assessment
Group Work
4 Points
Focus
4 Points
Ideas
4 Points
Collaboration
4 Points
Independence
4 Points
Exceptional
Consistently contributed his/her
fair share of the work
When group met, was consistently
focused on the task at hand.
Contributed several useful
ideas/suggestions.
Was always willing to listen to or
consider the ideas/ suggestions of
group members.
Consistently met the expectations
of whatever part(s) for which s/he
was responsible.
20 Points
Proficient
-Meets most requirements of
standard English with few errors
that do not interfere or interrupt
the flow of the paper.
-Uses 1 type of Forbidden Word.
Demonstrates clear and logical
flow of ideas with introduction,
body, and conclusion.
Proficient
Generally contributed his/her
fair share of the work
When group met, was generally
focused on the task at hand.
Contributed a couple useful
ideas/suggestions.
Was generally willing to listen
to or consider the ideas/
suggestions of group members.
Generally met the expectations
of whatever part(s) for which
s/he was responsible.
Well Below
-Fails to meet requirements of
standard English.
-Uses more than 2 types of
Forbidden Words.
Has no formulation of
introduction, body, and/or
conclusion. Progression of ideas
are difficult to follow.
-Fails to answer most of the
questions AND/OR has major
factual errors.
-Does not reflect understanding
and knowledge of the Middle
Ages.
-No sources are of high quality.
No necessary web site
evaluations are attached.
-Is often missing necessary
parenthetical citations.
- Paper, citations, and Works
Cited include frequent errors.
20 Points
Approaching
-Some presenters seem prepared.
-Presentation was 2 minutes too
long or too short.
-Is missing either an intro or a
conclusion.
-Ideas are sometimes presented
in a logical order.
-Flow is sometimes maintained.
-Accurately answers most of the
questions AND/OR contains
minor errors.
-At times reflects understanding
and knowledge of the Middle
Ages.
-Occasionally does not refer to
the model when necessary.
-Sometimes speaks articulately.
-Body language occasionally
negatively impacts the
presentation.
Well Below
-None of the presenters
seemed prepared.
-Presentation was 3 minutes
too long or too short.
-Is missing both an intro and a
conclusion.
-Ideas are not presented in a
logical manner.
-Flow is not maintained.
-Fails to answer most of the
questions AND/OR has major
factual errors.
-Does not reflect
understanding and knowledge
of the Middle Ages.
-Does not refer to the model.
-Does not speak articulately. Body language often
negatively impacts the
presentation.
40 Points
Approaching
In some ways is an accurate model
of the topic; is missing 2 necessary
features.
Represents the topic with some
creativity.
Model is 1 of the following: sturdy,
neat and attractive, or easily viewed
by the class.
Model includes 2 non-food items.
Well Below
Is not an accurate model of
the topic; is missing more
than 2 necessary features.
Represents the topic without
creativity.
Model is not sturdy, neat, or
easily viewed by the class.
Model includes more than 2
non-food items.
20 Points
Approaching
Occasionally contributed his/her
fair share of the work
When group met, was occasionally
focused on the task at hand.
Contributed a useful
idea/suggestion.
Was occasionally willing to listen
to or consider the ideas/ suggestions
of group members.
Occasionally met the expectations
of whatever part(s) for which s/he
was responsible.
Well Below
Did not contribute his/her fair
share of the work
When group met, was not
focused on the task at hand.
Did not contribute any useful
ideas/suggestions.
Was not willing to listen to or
consider the ideas/ suggestions
of group members.
Failed to meet the expectations
of whatever part(s) for which
s/he was responsible.
Gothic Cathedrals-What is a cathedral? (How is it different from a regular church?)
-Find the names and locations of two famous Medieval cathedrals; include pictures of them with your paper and during your
presentation.
-How are cathedrals organized? (what shape are they in? Think of an aerial view)
-Name and explain 4 major architectural features of a cathedral (these parts must be included in your model)
-Why were the ceilings so high? What 2 techniques did they develop during the High Middle Ages to construct such high
ceilings? (These should relate to your 4 architectural features)
-How long did it typically take to construct a cathedral during the High Middle Ages? Why do you think that was?
Chess Set-Where did chess originally develop?
-What do each of the parts/pieces represent in terms of Medieval society?
-What do the possible moves for each part signify about Medieval society?
Weapons-Why were weapons such an important part of medieval society? (Think- why are they so much less important today?)
-Describe the design and use of at least 3 of the most common weapons, and 1 unique weapon
-You can either make one large, very elaborate weapon as a model and include pictures of the other
weapons, or make 4 smaller, less elaborate weapons
Castles-Explain the main purpose of the castle, as well as other purposes they served
-Name and describe four of the most important parts of a castle (these parts must relate to the main purpose of the castle and
must be included in your model)
-Find 2 examples of Medieval Castles. Include pictures of them with your paper and during your presentation.
Stained Glass-What was the process by which stained glass was made in Medieval times? What materials/ingredients were used?
-What topic(s) did stained glass generally depict?
-In what types of locations could stained glass most often be found? Why was it necessary in those places?
-Find 2 examples of stained glass from the Middle Ages. Include pictures with your paper and during your presentation.
Byzantine Mosaics
-What was the process by which Byzantine Mosaics were made? What materials/ingredients were used?
-In what types of locations could mosaics most often be found?
-Find 2 examples of mosaics from the Middle Ages. Include pictures of them with your paper and during your presentation.
-What topic(s) did mosaics generally depict?