Assigned On: Wednesday, March 2 Due On: Friday, March 25 Middle Ages Research Project By Royal Proclamation of the 7 th Grade Court Hear ye, hear ye! Loyal citizens of Jeffersonshire! The Royal Court of 7 th 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 AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS ART WORK BANKING BLACK DEATH (The Plague) CASTLES CATHEDRALS CHARLEMAGNE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CLOTHING CRIME AND PUNISHMENT CRUSADES FROM THE CHRISTIAN P.O.V. CRUSADES FROM THE MUSLIM P.O.V. EDUCATION FALCONRY & HUNTING FOOD & FEASTS GAMES GENDER ROLES GUILDS & MEDIEVAL JOBS INVENTIONS JOAN OF ARC KING ARTHUR KING JOHN (& the Magna Carta) KINGS/ROYALTY/NOBILITY KNIGHTS & CHIVALRY KUBLAI KHAN LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS LIFE IN A MEDIEVAL VILLAGE MARCO POLO MEDICINE & REMEDIES MONKS & MONASTERIES MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT RELIGION SAMURAI SERFS vs. PEASANTS TOURNAMENTS & JOUSTING TRANSPORTATION WARFARE & WEAPONS WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR 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). Don t 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 7 th, 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 won t 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 Channel s 75 Middle Ages topics http://www.yourchildlearns.com/castle.htm Interactive Software 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 4 th, 2011. I am aware that my student,, has been assigned a major project in Language Arts, which was assigned on Wednesday, March 2 nd, 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) (Date) (Student Name printed) (Student Signature) (Date)