TASK SECTION

 

YEAR 8 HSIE

 

Medieval Societies and the Early Modern Period

 

Medieval Europe Assignment

 


Length: As appropriate to the selected presentation format.

Marks/value: 30% of Semester 1 mark.

 

Date due: Week 6, Term 3 2008.

 

Outcomes:

4.7 Students identify different perspectives and interpretations of Medieval Europe.

4.8 Students locate, select and organise information from a number of sources.

4.10 Students are able to communicate information about the past effectively.

 

The medieval period was a fascinating era in history. This assignment allows students to develop in-depth knowledge about aspects of medieval life that take their interest.

Task:
Research the daily life of the type of medieval person allocated to you and present 3 aspects of that person's daily life to the class.


Define the Task
Each student will be allocated a role or occupation of a person from medieval society, for example: knight, monk, nun, peasant, child, blacksmith etc. Your teacher will allocate your role.

Students are to research 3 aspects
of that person's daily life. In consultation with your teacher, you can select aspects that interest you.

For example:
For a peasant child the aspects could be education, games and chores.
For a lord the aspects could be recreation, duties of land ownership and employees.
For a doctor the aspects could be medicinal cures, operations and hygiene.

Locate Information

Information can be found in your textbook and in the Library. The Reference section is a good place to start your search, followed by the 900s shelves in the Non-Fiction section - browse and use the Library catalogue. Use the links listed below to access information on the Internet.

Select and Analyse

The type of information required will depend to some extent on the type of presentation being done, so decide upon your presentation method as soon as possible. In general, maps, models, pictures, timelines and textual information could all be useful. Make notes from books and highlight the relevant parts of photocopies and printouts.

Organise and Synthesise

Organise the information you collect logically. Think in terms of sections or subheadings to group together related pieces of information. Use your own sentences and paragraphs.

Create and Present

Presentation will involve an oral explanation of the 3 aspects researched from their allocated person.

 

The format of the presentation may take a number of forms:

 

1. Students may choose to dress up as their allocated person and lead a demonstration with oral explanation of an aspect of their person's life.

For example:

If your person is a child you may like to lead the class in some medieval games.

If your person is a knight you may like to demonstrate or lead the class in some of the basic moves of sword fighting.

If your person is the king's cook you may like to prepare food for the class to eat.

If your person is a doctor you may like to lead the class through a demonstration of medieval medical procedures.

 

2. Students may choose to develop a PowerPoint presentation - using pictures, diagrams maps etc as stimuli to support the oral explanation.

 

3. Students may choose to build a model to support their oral explanation.

For example:

If your person is a peasant you may like to build a model of the 3-field system of farming.

If your person is the sheriff you may like to build a model of the pillory or stocks.

If your person is a lord you may like to build a model of his manor or castle.

 

4. Students may choose to create a web site that presents the 3 aspects of their allocated person's life. Students will demonstrate and orally explain the use of the website to the class using a data projector.


Marking Criteria

OUTCOME

INFORMATION

Advanced

3 aspects explained very clearly and analysed in detail. All aspects equally well addressed. Source material processed and own words used to communicate information. Use of a wide variety of sources. Thorough understanding of the topic strongly demonstrated.
17-20 marks

Highly competent

3 aspects explained clearly. All aspects equally well addressed. Information processed and expressed mainly using own words. Use of a variety of sources. Good understanding of the topic demonstrated.
13-16 marks

Competent

3 aspects outlined clearly, with some attempt at explanation. Reasonable attempt to process information located and to express it using own words. More than one source used. Basic understanding of the topic demonstrated
10-12 marks

Developing

Some relevant facts provided. Not all aspects addressed, or some covered superficially. Little processing of information to construct own sentences. Mainly one source of information used. Superficial understanding of the topic.
6-9 marks

Experiencing difficulty

Some facts provided. Aspects of the topic omitted. No attempt to process information located, text copied from the original source. Little understanding of the topic.
1-5 marks



Some websites for this assignment

The Middle Ages

http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/

 

The Middle Ages                     

http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/history/middleages/index.shtml

 

Yahoo Middle Ages  

http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Regions/Europe/Arts_and_Humanities/Humanities/History/By_Time_Period/Middle_Ages/

Medieval People
http://www.kyrene.org/schools/brisas/sunda/ma/1wendy.htm
 
Medieval Life
http://www.medieval-life.net/life_main.htm
 
Nun, widow, wife and more
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2001/20010528/medieval_women.shtml
 
The medieval knight
http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/fief/medknight.html
 
Medieval England
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/england_medieval.htm
 
The Castle of Wales
http://www.castlewales.com/home.html