Pills, Potions and Plagues
Key understanding(s): Cultural interaction impacts on cultures and societies.
The way people mange resources has impacts for environmental and social sustainability.
KEY COMPETENCIES (to foreground): Thinking, Participating and contributing
Lesson 1: Key Words
Lesson 3: The World is Flat
Lesson 5: Social Organisation
Lesson 7: The Plague is Here!
Lesson 9: Crazy Cures
Lesson 11: Scapegoats: 2
Lesson 13: Impacts of the Plague: 2
Lesson 15: Where did the Plague go?
Lesson 17: Impact of the Flu Epidemic
Lesson 19: In the future 1: Bird flu
Lesson 21: Assignment
Lesson 23: Assignment
Lesson 2: Timeline: The Middle Ages
Lesson 4: Life in the Middle Ages
Lesson 6: The Plague is coming!
Lesson 8: Punishment From God
Lesson 10: Scapegoats: 1
Lesson 12: Impacts of the Plague: 1
Lesson 14: What do I know about the Plague?
Lesson 16: 1918
Lesson 18: Other Epidemics
Lesson 20: In the future 2: Bird flu
Lesson 22: Assignment
Lesson 24: Test
Key Words
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understanding some of the key words that we will hear and
use in this topic.
LITERACY FOCUS: Picture Dictation, Glossary Terms
RESOURCES:
Word Sheet, Teacher’s Resource, the Normans Conquer Britain Picture Dictation
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Complete the word chart of key words.
2. Copy correct answers into ‘Meaning’ box.
3. Use 1 whole pg. to draw a table of 18 squares (9 rows x 2).
Listen to your teacher! Down the left hand side, draw or
illustrate the idea you hear read out. You may use
numbers, symbols, pictures, one key word but no writing.
You can use the names of people and dates.
Timeline: The Middle Ages
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understanding when the Middle Ages were in reference to
world history
LITERACY FOCUS: Timelines, skim and scan, pre-reading
RESOURCES:
The Middle Rages, ‘Where the Black Death fits in to History’ handout
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Copy the following into your notes:
The period from 1066 to 1485 is called the Middle Ages. It
begins when William of Normandy conquered England and
ends at the Battle of Bosworth when a new family, the Tudors,
defeated the last Saxon king. The Middle Ages is a distinctive
period of time in world history.
2. Put the following into chronological order to show where
the Middle Ages fit in:
Celtic – Pre A.D; Industrial Revolution 1800-1900; Roman
0-500; Middle Ages 1000-1500; Modern Age 1900 - ; Anglo
Saxon 700-900; Tudor & Stewart 1500-1700; Dark Ages
500-600.
3. Read the handout ‘The Middle Rages’.
4. Paste in the handout ‘Where the Black Death fits in to
History’.
5. Colour code the timeline the following way:
Red – exploration and travel, blue – loss of life, green –
religion, yellow – fighting, orange – political
The World is Flat
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Have knowledge of the areas of the world that were known in the
Middle Ages.
LITERACY FOCUS: Map reading, scanning
RESOURCES:
Map, Atlas Epidemics Through Time
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Paste in the map of Europe. Using an Atlas and pg. 10 of
Epidemics through time, complete the activity.
2. Complete the following activity and answer the questions:
A) These places were also important at the time of the Black Death.
Add them to your map.
Bordeaux, Bristol, Crimea, Durham, Lyon, Marseilles,
Messina, Montpellier, Seville, Siena
B) In October 1347 trading ships belonging to Genoa sailed
homewards from a port in Crimea where they had a trading post. If the
ships sailed directly to Messina, would they have passed
Constantinople or Rome?
C) Why do you think places such as Genoa, Palermo, Tunis and
Marseilles be spreading points for the Black Death?
D) The Black Death spread north up a river to Avignon where the Pope
lived. On which river would it have travelled?
E) In the summer of 1348 the Black Death went from Normandy into
southern England. What did it have to cross to get there?
F) In the summer of 1348 the Black Death also went north from Italy
into Switzerland. What did it have to cross to get there?
Life in the Middle Ages
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand how people in the Middle Ages lived.
LITERACY FOCUS: Skimming and Scanning, Reading historical
pictures
RESOURCES:
Epidemics Through Time, ‘How Society was Organised’ handout, ‘Vile Village Life’ handout
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Look at the pictures on pg. 6-7 of Epidemics Through
Time. Make up a caption for each picture.
2. Read the story ‘How Society was Organised’. Copy the
following chart into your notes and complete it.
Opinion / Fact
A Piece of Supporting
Evidence From the Text
Once an infectious disease got
inside a town or village, it
spread quickly.
If disease killed large numbers
of peasants, society would be
disorganised.
The church was a powerful
force in the lives of medieval
people
3. Read the handout ‘Vile Village Life’.
4. Read ‘Important Medieval Inventions’ on pg. 5 of
Epidemics Through Time. Use this as your heading and
sketch each of the five inventions.
Social Organisation in the Middle Ages
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand how the feudal system worked and the main
aspects of it.
LITERACY FOCUS: Skimming and scanning, pre-reading.
RESOURCES:
The Feudal System, The Feudal System handout, Feudal diagram and word search.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Copy the following into your books:
The Feudal System is the name of the way societies were
organised in the Middle Ages. It determined how resources
were distributed.
2. Read the handout ‘The Feudal System’.
3. Copy the ‘Feudal System’ OH into your books.
4. Paste ‘Feudal System’ diagram into notes.
5. Complete the ‘Feudal Word Search’
The Plague is Coming!
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Have knowledge of how the plague/Black Death made its way
to Europe.
LITERACY FOCUS: Skimming and scanning
RESOURCES:
Epidemics through Time, ‘Rat and Flea Combination’ handout, Rat, ‘The Port of Death’
handout.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Read pg. 11 of Epidemics Through Time.
2. Read the handout ‘The Rat and Flea Combination’.
3. Complete the activity from the OH.
4. Read the handout ‘The Port of Death’.
The Plague is Here!
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand how the Black Death affected medieval life.
LITERACY FOCUS: Skimming and scanning, graphic organizing.
RESOURCES:
Power Point Presentation ‘The Black Death’, Worksheet, Storyboard
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Watch the Power Point ‘The Black Death’. Fill in the
worksheet as you go. Paste into your books.
2. Complete ‘The Black Death Storyboard’. Paste into your
books.
A Punishment from God
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Have knowledge of how medieval people explained the Black
Death
LITERACY FOCUS: Mindmapping, skimming and scanning
RESOURCES:
‘The Unscientific State of Medicine in 1347’ handout, ‘Causes’ handout, ‘Kim’s Speech’
handout
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Copy the following into your notes:
Very little was known about the plague in the Middle Ages.
People thought that it must be a punishment from god.
2. Read the handout ‘The Unscientific State of Medicine in
1347’.
3. Create a star diagram of what people in 1347 thought
caused the Black Death. Use the handout to cut out the
answers.
4. Read the article ‘Kim’s Speech on the Black Death’. Carry
out the activity.
Crazy Cures
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand the ways in which people tried to cure themselves
of the Black Death.
LITERACY FOCUS: Pre-reading, Skimming and Scanning,
Inferences.
RESOURCES:
‘King Charles II’s Plague Medicine’ handout, Epidemics Through Time
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Copy the following into your notes:
People in the Middle Ages did not know about bacteria or the
antibiotics needed to control them. Therefore, many of the
ways people attempted to cure themselves of the Plague seem
very strange to us!
2. Read pg. 16 of Epidemics through time.
3. Identify methods of dealing with the plague that might be
contradictory. Write these in your notes.
4. Find methods that could come under the heading of
Purification of the Air. Write these in your books.
5. Answer questions 3 & 4 on pg. 17 of Epidemics Through
Time.
6. Read about ‘The Flagellants’ on pg. 17.
7. Complete the activity ‘King Charles II’s Plague Medicine’.
Scapegoats: 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand what groups of people were targeted and blamed
for the plague.
LITERACY FOCUS:
Pre-reading, skimming, inferences
Resources:
Epidemics Through Time
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Copy the following into your books:
A scapegoat is a person or group that is blamed for something.
In the Middle Ages, people believed God was punishing them
by sending the Black Death. But they could not attack God. So
they looked around for somebody else they could blame and
attack. The Jews were an obvious target because they were
different in many ways to Christians.
2. Read pg. 20 of Epidemics through time.
3. Draw a Star of David in the middle of your page. For each
point of the star, choose one reason why Jews were
different from Christians from pg. 21 of Epidemics through
time. Write the reason at the point of your star.
4. Write a paragraph that answers the following question:
Q. Why did Pope Clement VI believe the Jews were not
responsible for the plague?
Scapegoats: 2
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand what groups of people were targeted and blamed
for the plague.
LITERACY FOCUS:
Pre-reading, Skimming, Inferences
RESOURCES:
Witches Power Point, Blackadder Video
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Watch the Witches Power Point. Complete the worksheet
as you go.
2. Watch the video showing a witch trial.
Impacts of the Plague: 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand the impact the Black Plague had on Medieval
society.
LITERACY FOCUS:
Drawing inferences, prediction
RESOURCES:
Epidemics Through Time
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Copy the following into your notes:
The Black Death caused a lot of disruption to Feudal Life.
Effect on the Church
Large numbers of priests died after administering ‘last rites’. Many
monasteries were completely wiped out. The power of the church
was weakened.
Effect on Jews
Society blamed Jews for the Plague and demanded a blood
sacrifice. Pogroms (massacres) took place throughout Europe.
2. Read the Primary Evidence on pgs. 18-19 of Epidemics
Through Time.
3. Use the Primary Evidence to write a sentence on the
following aspects of life in the Middle Ages.
Effect on Families
Effect on Society
Effect on the Economy
4. Write a journal entry on what life would be like if you were
living in the Middle Ages during the Plague or Draw a picture
of life during the Middle Ages when the plague had hit.
Impacts of the Plague: 2
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand how the Black Death changed people’s lives
through picture dictation.
LITERACY FOCUS:
Picture dictation, drawing inferences.
RESOURCES:
Epidemics Through Time, Peasants Revolt Picture Dictation
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Use 1 whole pg. to draw a table of 12 squares. Listen to
your teacher! Draw or illustrate the idea you hear read out.
You may use numbers, symbols, pictures, one key word but
no writing. You can use the names of people and dates.
When you have finished, go back and use your picture to
write a statement.
2. Read pgs. 22-23 of Epidemics Through Time.
3. Answer questions 1-10 on pg. 23 of Epidemics Through
Time.
What do I know about the Plague?
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Demonstrate knowledge of the Black Death.
LITERACY FOCUS:
Drawing inferences, skimming and scanning.
RESOURCES:
The Black Death – Common Sense or Silly Superstition OH, Multi Choice questions, Plague
crossword
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Draw two columns in your book. Head one up Common
Sense, the other Silly Superstition.
Common Sense
Silly Superstition
2. From the OH, copy each box into the correct column.
3. Answer the Multi-choice questions on the Black Death.
4. Complete the Plague Crossword.
Where did the Plague Go?
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand the different ways in which the plague still exists.
LITERACY FOCUS: Skimming and scanning, drawing
inferences, Pre-reading, predicting.
RESOURCES:
Epidemics Through Time, Plague in India handout.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Read pg. 24 of Epidemics Through Time.
2. Complete the activity on pg. 24
3. Read pg. 25 of Epidemics Through Time.
4. Read the handout ‘Plague in India’. Complete the activity.
1918!
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand how the 1918 Pandemic affected New Zealand
LITERACY FOCUS: Skimming and scanning, cartoon
interpretation
RESOURCES:
Epidemics Through Time, ‘New Zealand’s Natural Disasters’ handout, Influenza Power Point
Presentation and worksheet.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Read pg. 27 of Epidemics Through Time
2. Carry out the activity on ‘New Zealand’s Natural Disasters’
handout.
3. Watch the ‘Influenza’ Power Point. Fill in the worksheet as
you go.
Impact of the 1918 Flu Epidemic
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand how the 1918 Pandemic affected New Zealand.
LITERACY FOCUS: Building computer literacy, skimming and
scanning
RESOURCES:
Epidemics Through Time, Laptops, Research sheet, Events handout.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Read pg. 29 of Epidemics Through Time.
2. Carry out an Internet Search. Read the instructions on
your sheet and fill in the required information.
3. EXTENSION: Attempt to put the events of the Influenza
Epidemic in New Zealand into their correct order.
Other Epidemics
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand knowledge of other epidemics around the world.
LITERACY FOCUS: Skimming and scanning, drawing
inferences.
RESOURCES:
Epidemics Through Time
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Read pg. 31 of Epidemics Through Time
2. Find the words in the Ebola story on pg. 31 that mean:
a) brought in illegally
b) people with magical powers
c) place for dead people
d) chemical to destroy bacteria
e) stopping of communications
f) among countries
g) time before disease appears
h) puts in or takes out body fluids
3. Read pg. 30 of Epidemics Through Time
4. Complete the activity at the bottom of pg. 30
In the Future: Bird flu?
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Demonstrate understanding of Bird-flu.
LITERACY OBJECTIVE: Drawing inferences, pre reading,
predicting.
RESOURCES:
A3 sheets, ‘NZ Connection in British bird-flu’ handout, ‘World Health Organization’ handout
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Read the handout ‘NZ Connection in British bird-flu’.
2. In groups of 3, come up with your own 5Ws and H to
find out more about the bird flu:
Who
What
Where
When
Why
How
3. Write your questions on the correct A3 sheet eg. write
your why question on the sheet headed WHY?
4. In your groups take one of the A3 sheets. Read
through the articles provided and see if you can find
the answers to the questions.
5. Report your findings back to the class.
In the future: Bird flu 2
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Understand how New Zealand could be affected by a Birdflu.
LITERACY OBJECTIVE: Pre-reading, prediction, drawing
inferences.
RESOURCES:
‘Bird flu no threat’ handout, Key Dates OH, ‘How to prepare…’ handout
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Read the ‘Bird flu no threat’ handout.
2. Put the ‘Key dates in the spread of bird flu’ into a timeline.
3. Read the handout ‘How to prepare..’
4. In your books, draw a Survival kit of 10 items you would
choose from the list.
5. Write a paragraph on why you selected these particular
items over others.