Assigned On: Wednesday, March 2
Due On: Friday, March 25
Middle Ages Research Project
By Royal Proclamation of the 7th Grade Court
Hear ye, hear ye! Loyal citizens of Jeffersonshire!
The Royal Court of 7th Grade 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:
ARMOR
JOAN OF ARC
AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS
KING ARTHUR
ART WORK
KING JOHN (& the Magna Carta)
BANKING
KINGS/ROYALTY/NOBILITY
BLACK DEATH (The Plague)
KNIGHTS & CHIVALRY
CASTLES
KUBLAI KHAN
CATHEDRALS
LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS
CHARLEMAGNE
LIFE IN A MEDIEVAL VILLAGE
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
MARCO POLO
CLOTHING
MEDICINE & REMEDIES
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
MONKS & MONASTERIES
CRUSADES FROM THE CHRISTIAN P.O.V.
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
CRUSADES FROM THE MUSLIM P.O.V.
RELIGION
EDUCATION
SAMURAI
FALCONRY & HUNTING
SERFS vs. PEASANTS
FOOD & FEASTS
TOURNAMENTS & JOUSTING
GAMES
TRANSPORTATION
GENDER ROLES
WARFARE & WEAPONS
GUILDS & MEDIEVAL JOBS
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR
INVENTIONS
WILLIAM WALLACE
The Court is also open to ideas from their loyal subjects!
Remember that the Middle Ages lasted from about 400 A.D. (C.E.) until 1500 A.D. (C.E.) Your
information should span this time period, unless it can be narrowed down more (i.e.- The Crusades).
The Task
Working in pairs, each group will select what they would like to research. Upon having
your topic approved, you and your partner will write down four questions or areas of
interest about your topic (that you want to know more about. After doing this, you will
research your subject and begin the process of gathering your information. The final project
will consist of two parts:
1. A digital story video that must include the following things:
•
•
•
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A title slide with the topic and group members’ names
At least four pictures per “area” (see paragraph above)
At least 1 fact/piece of information gathered per picture
A credit slide with MLA style correctly written bibliography
Each pair must record and display their information using Microsoft Photo Story, to be
played in front of the class (3 to 5 minutes each).
Don’t just recite facts! Telling stories or examples to illustrate the topic is a great way to get
the audience interested. The presentation of what was learned should be split equally by both
participants. Be sure to create a script and practice so the information is clearly understood.
Pretend you are teaching the class all about this topic- remember that they will not know what
you are talking about until you explain it to them!
2. A Four Square fill-in study guide to go along with your video to help your classmates
understand the topic. Each square should be for a different “area” of your presentation, with
at least 4-5 bullets of information in each.
Timeline
You and your partner will have three weeks to complete this assignment. Throughout the
process, we will be reviewing the guidelines and the instructions for creating both a Four
Square review and a digital story. We will also cover topics such as researching, note taking,
plagiarism, etc. During this time, you should both be gathering resources, information, and
images on/of your topic. It is necessary that time be spent over the weekends and at home,
either together or individually, to finalize your research.
Starting on Monday, March 7th, you will be given four different days over the three
weeks in the library/computer lab to work on researching, developing the storyboard, creating
the Four Square, and building the Photo Story with narration. There will also be times
reserved during Flex and after school when you and your partner can continue your work.
SEE YOUR CALENDAR for more information!!
While we are creating a timeline and the Photo Story aspect won’t happen until closer to
the end, it is an option to work on this project at home, using the time at school for
development and feedback. However, you first need to make sure you have the materials
needs: a computer with Photo Story (a free Microsoft download), the digital images, and a
microphone.
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. It is
really important to begin collecting the images for the digital story, since you cannot narrate
without them. Each partner is required to use at least:
•
One reference book (physical, not cyber!)
•
Two Internet resources
Students are also required to complete a bibliography, written in MLA format. If you are
having difficulty finding facts, please see Lady Hoertel, Lady Papasavas, or Lady Elsey, as they
are fountains of information! You can also contact the fair rulers of your Social Studies
classrooms as well!
The Process
1. Select a partner
2. Select a topic
3. Narrow down to four areas of interest (research questions and thesis)
4. Find resources
5. Summarize information
6. Find and save images
7. Organize information
8. Create a storyboard to show progression of the project
9. Develop Four Square review sheet
10. Input images into Photo story
11. Add narration and sound
12. Develop minimal effects and timing
13. Create final video to be presented to the class
Evaluation Criteria
RESEARCH AREAS CAREFULLY THROUGHOUT ___
USED CLASS TIME WELL ___
TOOK CAREFUL NOTES ___
GATHERED SUFFICIENT FACTS AND INFORMATION ____
PROVIDED IMAGES TO CONNECT WITH FACTS ____
ORGANIZED AND PRESENTED VISUAL INFORMATION NEATLY ____
CREATED VIDEO IN AN ORGANIZED AND COHERENT WAY ____
SHOWED CREATIVITY AND CAREFUL THOUGHT ___
CORRECTLY COMPLETED BIBLIOGRAPHY ___
COMPLETED WORK ON TIME ___
PROJECT FORMAT ENHANCED RESEARCH ___
BONUS CREDIT AVAILABLE FOR EXCEPTIONAL EFFORT ___
Internet Sites
http://camelotintl.com People and society of the Middle Ages
http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/history/middleages/ General information
http://historymedren.about.com/education/historymedren/library/blsitemap.htm Medieval History
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210340/ Covers dragons, knights, unicorns, music, royalty, castles, Robin
Hood, medicine and more.
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0213647/ General Information
http://members.xoom.com/MedPaige/ General Information
http://radiantworks.com/middleages/ General information
http://scholar.chem.nyu.edu/tekpages/Technology.html General Information and technological innovation and
related subjects in Western Europe during the Middle Ages
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/castle_builder/ Castles
http://witcombe.sbc.edu/ARTHmedieval.html
Art of the Middle Ages
http://www.acsamman.edujo/%7Ems/crusades/index.html The Crusades
http://www.asmilan.org/eschool/middle_ages/ General Information
http://www.britainexpress.com/History/Townlife.htm Medieval England - Daily Life in Medieval Towns
http://www.byu.edu/ipt/projects/middleages/index.html General information
http://www.calvin.edu/academic/history/village/ Medieval villages
http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castle6.htm Castles
http://www.castlesontheweb.com/ Castles
http://www.castlewales.com/life.html Castles
http://www.cmi-1mi.com/kingdom.html Life in Middle Ages
http://www.costumes.org/pages/medievalinks.htm Costumes and clothing
http://www.discovery.com/stories/history/blackdeath/blackdeath.html The Black Death
http://www.execpc.com/~dboals/boals.html
Middle Ages
http://www.godecookery.com/afeast/afeast.htm Feasts
http://www.godecookery.com/godeboke/godeboke.htm Food
http://www.hudson.edu/media/hmspath/middleages.html Additional resources
http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/brisas/sunda/ma/mahome.htm Life in the Middle Ages w/links to
Becoming a Knight, Castle, Cathedrals and many others.
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/ General Information
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/ links to: Feudal Life, Religion, Home, Clothing, Health, Arts and
Entertainment, Town life, and related resources.
http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/ General Information
http://www.mrdowling.com/703middleages.html Good for: The Plague, The Crusades, Charlemagne,
Feudalism, etc.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/castles/enter.html Castles
http://www.palos118.org/South/curriculum/team6c/midages/ General Information
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/trebuchet/ Castles and weaponry
http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/n/x/nxd10/castle/castles.htm Castles
http://www.rockyweb.ab.ca/bpeak/edge/medieval/lisi.html Middle Ages
http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/medievalmedicine.htm
Medicine
http://www.s-hamilton.k12.ia.us/antiqua/instrumt.html Medieval Instruments
http://www.sirclisto.com History Channel’s 75 Middle Ages topics
Interactive Software
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/castle.htm
Build a medieval castle or play an online game about heraldry and medieval life!
http://historymedren.about.com/mpremail.htm
This “What You Need to Know About”, in partnership with History.net, connects you to Melissa Snell,
guide of the Medieval times site. Browse through the most frequently asked questions, and then scroll
down to click on her email to ask her your question about medieval times.
Please have your parent or guardian sign the following slip, showing
that they are aware of the assignment and its due date. You must bring the
slip back to your Language Arts before you may begin working on your
project.
This signature will count twice towards your grade: once as a
homework assignment and again as 5 points towards your final project
grade.
This last page is due back to your teacher signed no later than Friday,
March 4th, 2011.
I am aware that my student, ________________________, has
been assigned a major project in Language Arts, which was assigned
on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 and while there will be minor due
dates over the next three weeks, the final project is due Friday,
March 25th. They will be working in partners for this task.
I am also aware that the students were informed that if they are
having trouble finding or compiling information, they should see their
teacher for assistance so as not to lose credit on the finished
assignment.
_______________________
(Parent or Guardian Signature)
__________________
(Student Name printed)
______
(Date)
____________________
(Student Signature)
______
(Date)