Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Middle Ages: Introduction

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is fundamental to establish clear learning goals that students should achieve during the class. By defining specific objectives, students can better direct their efforts and focus on the most relevant study areas. This section also serves to align the teacher's expectations with the teaching needs of the Middle Ages content, ensuring that both the preparation and execution of classroom activities are effective.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to understand the structure and main characteristics of the Middle Ages, focusing on religious, political, and social issues, including the influence of the Church, the feudal system, and Arab invasions.

2. Develop the ability to recognize and analyze the importance of advances in knowledge and culture during the Middle Ages, such as the development of architecture, literature, and science.

3. Encourage students to relate aspects of the Middle Ages to the contemporary world, perceiving the influences and legacies of this period in today’s society.

Side Objectives:

1. Promote the integration of students' prior knowledge about the Middle Ages, facilitating the construction of a deeper understanding through classroom discussion.
2. Stimulate critical thinking and the argumentative ability of students when debating different views on the Middle Ages and its consequences.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction stage serves to engage students and connect the knowledge they already possess with the lesson's topic. The proposed problem situations encourage students to think critically about how events of the Middle Ages influenced the society of the time and its legacy. The contextualization helps give practical sense and relevance to the study of the Middle Ages, showing how the past still resonates in the present, thus stimulating greater curiosity and interest in the subject.

Problem-Based Situations

1. How did the feudal structure in Europe during the Middle Ages impact the daily lives of people living in that period?

2. In what way did the Catholic Church influence political and social decisions in Europe during the Middle Ages?

Contextualization

To understand the relevance of the Middle Ages, it is crucial to analyze how the legacy of this period still influences modern society. For example, the legal and political system of many European nations is based on systems that evolved during the Middle Ages, such as the feudal system. Additionally, notable cultural advances, such as Gothic architecture and the development of music, have their roots in the creativity and ingenuity of medieval inhabitants. Understanding these aspects helps to perceive the Middle Ages not as a distant and irrelevant period, but as a cultural and social foundation for the contemporary world.

Development

Duration: (75 - 85 minutes)

The development stage is designed to allow students to apply their prior knowledge about the Middle Ages practically and interactively. By participating in playful and contextualized activities, students can explore history more deeply, understanding and internalizing the social, political, and cultural aspects of the period. This approach not only facilitates learning but also increases interest and knowledge retention, preparing students for a more critical and in-depth understanding of the impact of the Middle Ages on the formation of the modern world.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Medieval Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand the architecture and function of medieval castles, highlighting the defensive and social importance of these structures.

- Description: Students will be divided into groups of up to 5 people, and each group will receive a 'mission' to build a model of a medieval castle using recyclable materials such as cardboard, popsicle sticks, and fabrics. They will need to consider typical elements of architecture from the time, such as walls, towers, and moats.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Present the available materials for construction and explain that they should use creativity to simulate a medieval castle.

• Provide a brief summary of the main architectural elements of a medieval castle.

• Guide students to sketch a draft of the castle before starting construction.

• Allow each group to build their model, emphasizing the importance of details and historical accuracy.

• At the end, each group will present their castle, explaining the function of each part and how it reflects life in the Middle Ages.

Activity 2 - The Great Banquet

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand the dietary and social habits of medieval nobility, as well as explore the importance of entertainment in the culture of the time.

- Description: In this activity, students will plan and simulate a typical banquet of medieval nobility. They will have to consider the types of food available, the hygiene practices of the time, and the role of musicians and artists in the banquet's entertainment.

- Instructions:

• Organize the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Discuss the types of food consumed by medieval nobility and the conditions of food preparation and hygiene at the time.

• Explain the role of musicians, artists, and entertainment during a medieval banquet.

• Each group must plan a menu for the banquet and think of some form of entertainment.

• The groups must also create invitations and decorate the classroom space to simulate a medieval banquet hall.

• Hold the banquet in the classroom, allowing each group to present their menu and entertainment.

Activity 3 - Merchants and Trade Routes

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Explore the economic system of the Middle Ages and understand the role of trade routes and fairs in medieval society.

- Description: Students, in groups, will simulate a medieval fair, where each group represents different roles: merchants, artisans, or nobles. They will have to negotiate products and discuss the trade routes of the Middle Ages, considering factors such as insecurity on the roads and taxes.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students, each representing a different role: merchants, artisans, or nobles.

• Explain the types of products that were common during the Middle Ages and how trade routes functioned.

• Each group must prepare their products for the fair, including creating some items that could be sold at the time.

• Simulate the fair in the classroom, allowing the groups to interact and negotiate with each other.

• Discuss at the end of the activity which factors influenced the outcomes of the negotiations and how this reflects the economic situation of the Middle Ages.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to share their experiences and reflections. Through group discussion, students have the opportunity to verbalize and confront different perspectives, which helps deepen the collective understanding of the topic. Additionally, by answering key questions, students have the chance to demonstrate their understanding and ability to apply the knowledge acquired in varied contexts, thus reinforcing active and critical learning.

Group Discussion

To initiate the group discussion, the teacher should ask each group to share their discoveries and learnings from the activities carried out. It is suggested that the teacher use the following questions to guide the discussion: 'What were the biggest challenges in building the castle model and what did you learn about medieval architecture?' 'How did planning a noble banquet change your perception of the culture and habits of medieval nobility?' And finally, 'What surprised you the most when simulating the medieval fair and how does this help understand the economic system of the time?' Encourage students to relate what they learned to the contemporary world, so they can perceive the ongoing relevance of studying the Middle Ages.

Key Questions

1. What was the impact of the feudal system on the social and political structure of the Middle Ages?

2. How did the Catholic Church influence not only faith but also political and social practices?

3. In what way do the cultural and technological advances of the Middle Ages continue to influence the modern world?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion stage is to consolidate learning, ensuring that students have a clear and integrated understanding of the discussed themes. Additionally, it aims to reinforce the importance of studying the Middle Ages, not just as historical knowledge, but as a foundation for understanding the contemporary world. This final reflection helps students perceive the continuity of history and the applicability of historical knowledge in their lives.

Summary

In this final stage, the teacher should summarize the main points covered about the Middle Ages, recalling the characteristics of feudalism, the influence of the Catholic Church, the Arab invasions, and the cultural and technological advances. It is important to synthesize the content to ensure that students have a clear and consolidated view of the studied period.

Theory Connection

Throughout the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was established through activities such as building castles, planning banquets, and simulating fairs. These activities allowed students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts, reinforcing their understanding of the social, political, and cultural aspects of the Middle Ages.

Closing

Finally, it is essential to highlight the relevance of the Middle Ages in the contemporary world, showing how many of the modern social, cultural, and political structures have their roots in this historical period. Understanding and valuing the heritage of the Middle Ages helps students perceive the continuity of history and the importance of studying the past to understand the present.