Middle Ages Europe Lesson Plans

Students summarize what it was like to live in Europe during the Middle Ages. Comparison of common perceptions of medieval Europe with the realities of life during that period in history to be analyzed. Appreciate the possibilities of learning about a society through the study of works of art.

Eighth graders explore the notion of survival as it applies to modern society. They compare medieval society to their own lives to put into perspective the harsh reality of life in the "Dark Ages." They examine how modern inventions have altered our own survival needs and how people were affected by their conditions during the middle ages.

Young scholars research a historical figure from the Middle Ages.  In this Middle Ages activity, students present important events of their characters life and of the time.  Young scholars write a time card for each significant event.  Students must cite the relevant facts about the event.  Young scholars order their time cards chronologically.

Learners discuss what roles the clergy, nobles and peasants played during the late Middle Ages. They explain what led to the growth of trade and towns in Western Europe. Ultimately, students describe how kings in Western Europe built strong nations during the late Middle Ages. They create a mural in the fashion of tapestry made during the Middle Ages.

Students investigate what life was like during Middle Ages in Europe for nobles, merchants, and serfs. They examine economic and political feudal system, and explore how people lived, what conditions of their lifestyles made them particularly susceptible to disease, and what role trade played in spread of the Plague. Students then write exploratory essays.

Students examine medieval architecture. In this Middle Ages lesson, students examine photographs of cathedrals in Europe and discuss the role of the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages.

Eighth graders discover how the late Middle Ages influence present society. Among the discussions, they compare aids in Africa with the Black Plague of the Middle Ages. In pairs, 8th graders create fairy tales reflecting life during the Middle Ages.

Fourth graders read and write about the religious and philosophical ideas of medieval society. They create diagrams and timelines on the Middle Ages in England as well as a notebook about this time period.

Students brainstorm names and phrases and words related to the Middle Ages. In small groups, they read paragraphs about this period and write a summary for each paragraph. Students take lecture notes and attend a local "Medieval Feast."

Students create a first person account of life in the middle ages from the perspective of a king, noble, knight or peasant. They view and discuss a Discovery Channel video then research the roles and responsibilities of their class level and what daily life may have been like for a person of that station.