ENTERTAIN THE KING:
A
MEDIEVAL QUEST
A WebQuest for 6th Grade Medieval History
Designed by EAST SHORE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS:
Pamela Begin and Austin Cesare
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits |
Good Morrow! King Rampart of
Castle Woodmont is bored. He wants a play that will truly
entertain him and his wife Queen Mary. He has executed five
jesters in the past six months for failure to entertain the
court. He enjoys plays that reflect the everyday life of the
people of his kingdom. His kingdom is made up of many
interesting characters. These characters include merchants,
vassals, peasants, alchemists, knights and their ladies,
monks, priests, and a few beheaded
jesters!!!
You and your medieval band of merry travelers must create a play that will both entertain and inform the court. This play must include details about medieval times (500AD-1300AD):
ROLES:
Architect- Castles and Housing
Tailor: Clothing
Culturalist- Professions and Feudalism
Entertainer- Food and Games and Pastimes
Doctor- Medicine
You and your merry travelers are
responsible for developing a play to meet the King's
demands.
1.) Each group member must present a
typed page of notes about their assigned
topic.
2.) The group must have a typed script
with stage and scene
directions.
3.) Each group member must participate in
the groups
skit.
4.) All details from the notes must be
included somewhere in the skit or in the stage and costuming
design.
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The Process
Medieval Housing: (Castles, huts, etc.)
http://www.castlesontheweb.com/
A.)View several photos of castles in Britain, Scotland, and Europe. Describe the look of the castle in detail. Use this as the setting of your play.
B.)Look up the following words in the
Glossary provided by this site. Write down the
definition of these words and work three of these words into
your play
script.
-bailey, cesspit, moat, garderobe, murder
holes.
*Also go into:
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/homes.html
C.)Why were windows made very small with wooden shutters?
D.)How many rooms were in the common medieval home?
E.)Compare the homes of the
wealthy to those of the
poor.
Make sure your skit
includes information on your characters' housing.
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Clothing
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/clothing.html
A.)What was the main fabric used during
the medieval times for
clothing?
B.)What role did colors of clothes play in demonstrating the wealth of the wearer?
C.)What sort of hat would various people wear in medieval times?
D.)How did peasant male clothing differ from peasant female clothing?
E.)Describe medieval jewelry.
Also go into:
http://www.twingroves.district96.k12.il.us/renaissance/town/children.html
F.) Describe the clothing of a young medieval boy and a young medieval girl.
G.) How does clothing reflect the
social status of the
wearer?
Use this information to
write the costume notes that will accompany your skit. If
possible wear costumes in your skit.
Feudalism
http://www.mauigateway.com/~john/Feudalism/feudalism.htm
A.)Define
feudalism.
B.)About what date did the practice of feudalism begin?
C.)Define the word vassal and scutage (this can be found in the Common terms section)
D.)Explain the oath of fealty.
Use at least two of
these words and/or concepts in your
skit.
Medieval professions
http://castles-of-britain.com/castle32.htm
A.)Name five medieval jobs and describe
what they
entailed.
B.)Define the following terms in your
own words, guild, chamberlain, cottars and almoners
(the word alms means charity
money).
Medieval games and pastimes
http://waks.ne.mediaone.net//game-hist/game-rules.html
A.) Describe a medieval card
game, board game and an active
game.
Medieval Foods
http://www.twingroves.district96.k12.il.us/renaissance/town/food/FoodTable.html
A.) Identify several medieval foods,
including at least two
desserts.
B.) Describe a typical medieval wedding
feast. Give details about the
menu.
C.) Compare and contrast an
Italian wedding feast and a British wedding
feast.
Make sure you mention
these food items in your skit.
Medieval Medicines
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/health.html
A.) Name and describe common diseases of
this time period and their
symptoms.
B.) Name cures that were used by doctors
of this
age.
Have one of the
characters in your skit be either a sufferer of one of these
diseases or a doctor.
Evaluation
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Beginning 1 |
Developing 2 |
Accomplished 3 |
Exemplary 4 |
Score |
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sentences. |
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Dynamics
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behaviors. |
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participated. |
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Conclusion
Congratulations!!! you have successfully completed your quest. Your play has entertained King Rampart and his court, saving your head for another day! During the development of your performance, you have learned about the life and times of the medieval people. What about this time period did you enjoy? Would you ever want to go back in time and visit? In what ways is your life in today's world easier and better?
For more information about this topic, visit your local library. Also, you may need to use printed materials from the library to finish this quest, in particular if any of the sites are no longer accessible.
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Credits & References
Graphic from Web Explosion 2000©