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:

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).
Dont 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 wont 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 Channels 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)