Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Medieval Castles: Ceramic Art Lesson

For Teachers 8th - 12th
A lot went on in Medieval Castles, and they were an obvious symbol of feudal power. Have learners use clay to make a Medieval-style castle to show what they know about Europe during the Dark Ages. This resource provides basic background...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

The Beauty of Anglo-Saxon Poetry: A Prelude to Beowulf

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Riddle me this! What do kennings, caesura, and alliteration have to do with the Nowell Codex? Introduce class members to Anglo-Saxon poetry and prepare readers for a study of Beowulf with a series of activities that...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Gargoyles, Black Death, and Scary Music

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research the Dark Ages using books, the Internet, and other media. In this Dark Ages lesson plan, students study poetry, music, art, and the architecture of the Dark Ages.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Casting Light On The Dark Ages

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners write a 250-word report on their findings, comparing life in the Middle Ages to what they already know about life today. They explore a website imbedded in this plan to do their research.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: A Prelude to Beowulf

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Before reading the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, "Beowulf," students should explore the Dark Ages through researching the fundamental characteristics of the art and literature produced during this period. This website provides links for doing...
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Anglo Saxon Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson focuses on the Anglo-Saxon culture. It features links to Mead Hall Information, BBC History British Museum, an Anglo-Saxon Collection, Discovery Education: The Dark Ages, Part One video (Registration required), The Sutton Hoo...
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Anglo Saxon Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson focuses on the Anglo-Saxon culture including how the pagen Germanic tribes were converted to Christianity by St. Augustine, creating the first English bishopric in Canterbury. It offers links to an overview of Anglo- Saxon...
Unit Plan
Stanford University

Stanford History Education Group: The Dark Ages

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Primary and secondary source documents, timeline, PowerPoint, and lesson plan reinforcing life during the Dark Ages in Europe. Over several days students will come to understand all aspects of this...
Unit Plan
Other

Northrop Grumman Corporation: Into the Unknown: Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
The Northrop Grumman Corporation provides numerous resource about outer space and beyond.
Website
Other

Personal Site: Travel Literature in the Medieval Period

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A nice description of the literary genre known as "travel literature" as it was seen during the Middle Ages in Europe. The author notes that many times, medieval writers would make up exotic creatures to entertain their readers.
Handout
Other

Britannia History: King Arthur: History & Legend

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline of King Arthur which includes legends, history, the Knights of the Round Table.
Website
Other

Dumfries and Galloway Museums Services: Discover the Dark Ages

For Students 9th - 10th
Online exhibit of artifacts from Britain's Dark Ages, 410-1160, provided by the Dumfries and Galloway Museum Services. Each image is accompanied by a description and directions to the site of the artifact.
Handout
University Press

University Press: Ancient Greece: Time Periods

For Students 9th - 10th
Looks at periods in the history of Greece going back to 6000 BC. Covers Neolithic, Early Bronze, Minoan, Mycenaean, Dark Ages, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic. Each period links to a page of more detailed information.
Website
Other

The Legend of Camelot

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you can learn more about the story of Camelot as it has been told for hundreds of years--including the myth of Camelot, the Round Table, and the sword Excalibur.
Handout
Steven Kreis, PhD

The History Guide: Homer and the Greek Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Presents a clear, readable summary of ancient Greek history from the Archaic period through the Renaissance which included Homer's epic poems. Explains major historical events and cultural trends as background for those reading Homeric...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: The Camelot Times: Writing a Newspaper

For Teachers 6th - 8th
As part of a unit on Arthurian literature and medieval culture, students imagine they are reporters living in the realm of King Arthur and create newsletters/newspapers based on their study and research.
Website
California Institute of Technology

Spitzer Science Center: Brief History of the Universe

For Students 9th - 10th
Beginning with an image termed the "Brief History of the Universe" this site examines (briefly, as noted) a timeline of the universe as dictated by the image. The timeline includes information on the big bang theory, the dark ages, the...
Website
Steven Kreis, PhD

The History Guide: Ancient and Medieval Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
Created for the high school student who is taking classes in European history.
Article
Other

Ancient greece.org: History of Greece: Periods Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline of the ancient periods of Greek history.
Website
Britain Express

Britain Express: Anglo Saxon Churches

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes the Anglo-Saxon influence on the development of medieval church architecture. Information about where some of the churches are today and the styles of the windows, crosses, and towers. Has links to more information on...
Handout
Britain Express

Britian Express: Anglo Saxon Life Kinship and Lordship

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains the Anglo-Saxon's social obligation, the King's powers, the King and religion, Wergilds, and the women's role.
Unknown Type
Curated OER

Macmillan/mc Graw Hill: The World, Vol. 1: Culture & Change: Lesson 1 Quiz

For Students 5th - 7th
Five question quiz tests your knowledge of culture and change in the Middle Ages.
Article
Other

Ancient greece.org:history of Greece: The Dark Ages

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief article discussing the history of the dark ages. Links to other periods of time within Greek history.