Council for Economic Education
The Economic System of Medieval Europe
How are economics and politics intertwined? Societies in the Medieval period used feudalism for both economic and military reasons. The arrangement provided safety and met other needs. Using the included simulation, individuals...
Curated OER
Writing Exercises: Jews during the Middle Ages
After exploring the life of Jewish people in Europe during the Middle Ages, have the class complete three writing prompts. They'll compose three responses that discuss anti-Semitism, Jewish contribution, and persecution of Jewish people.
Student Handouts
Medieval Life Chart
What were the benefits and drawbacks of being a serf/knight/lord/lady/king/queen/etc. in the Middle Ages? Consider all the comparisons with your young historians using this graphic organizer.
Cave Creek Unified School District
Crusades and Culture in the Middle Ages
The Crusades sounds like a glamorous time period in the Middle Ages full of glory—but was it? Scholars find and review the truth of the Crusades' influence on the world through the resource. The study guides, separated individually by...
Curated OER
Not Everyone Lived in Castles During the Middle Ages
Students complete a variety of online activities surrounding their study of the Middle Ages. They focus on the various levels of the class sytem and then role play a member of a given class.
Curated OER
Medieval Europe: Feudalism
Eighth graders study European society during the medieval period. They investigate the feudal social structure and how it influenced daily life. They study Japanese society during the medieval period. They compare and contrast the...
Curated OER
Writing Exercises: The European Middle Ages
Use this worksheet to check for understanding after your class reads materials related to Europe in the Middle Ages. There are three questions that ask them to describe Charlemagne as a prominent historical figure, the feudal system, and...
Curated OER
Simulation: Feudal Candy
Students play a role-playing game using candy to identify the order of a feudalistic society. In this world history lesson, students identify the order of societal rank and loyalties within feudal Europe.
Curated OER
A Changing Society
Seventh graders examine Chaucer's work about the medieval times. In groups, 7th graders imagine what modern activities could replace some tasks used in medieval times.
Curated OER
Experiencing Japanese Feudalism
Students identify that a system of feudalism similar to that of medieval Europe developed in Japan by 1300. Students identify the social hierarchy of feudal Japan. Students identify what the cultural basis for the relationships among...
Curated OER
Horse Warriors
Students compare the Roman Empire, medieval Europe and feudal Japan. In this warrior societies lesson, students research the 3 warrior societies and share their research findings with their classmates.
Curated OER
Medieval Ethiopia, Mali and Nigeria: The Influence of Culture in Africa
Students are introduced to the concept of cultural diffusion. In groups, they identify the culture of Mali, Nigeria and Ethiopia and work together to research how cultural diffusion has changed the country. To end the lesson, they...
Curated OER
Chess: A Game or Rules of Society
Students identify the social classes of medieval Europe, and utilize the chess board and pieces to explain their relationship to each other.
Curated OER
The Odds of Dying During a Plague
Sixth graders explore plagues in the middle ages. For this social studies lesson, 6th graders examine the impact of deadly plagues on past societies and how the governments were forced to make drastic changes in response to the plagues
Curated OER
Gargoyles, Black Death, and Scary Music
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.
Hildegard Center for the Arts
Mardi Gras Masks
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Create your own festive Mardi Gras masks with a lesson that provides background information on the celebration and instructions about constructing the masks.
Curated OER
The Renaissance: How did it change the world?
Eighth graders identify the conditions in Medieval Europe that contributed to the beginning of the Renaissance. They find characteristics of the Renaissance in its art, economy, discoveries, and ideas. They examine the ideas of Humanism...
Curated OER
A Common Thread
Sixth graders explore the Renaissance. In this Renaissance lesson, 6th graders study the culture and society of the middle ages. Students research the geography and climate of the times and discover how these affected agriculture.
Curated OER
Feudal Japan and the Samurai
Young scholars study the similarities of Feudal Japan and Europe. They show the feudal society of Japan, recognize the role of the samurai and identify the code of bushido.