medieval survey ta notes

8/12/2019 Medieval Survey TA Notes

1/16


2/16

SpreadofChris&ani',

Mar'rdom,&Constan&ne(29-313AD/CE)9/11/12Summary:

After Jesus died, followers spread the word that He was, and is, God. This angered manypeople including Saul of Tarsus. Saul, along with many leaders, believed that Jesus could notbe the Messiah. Roman authorities believed that the worshipers of Jesus were dangerousand massacred or sold into slavery many believers.

Saul dramatically changed to became the apostle Paul, one of the biggest promoters of faith

in Christ. He was eventually imprisoned under the rule of Nero, and died a martyrs death in67AD. Persecution continued until 313CE when Constantine ruled that Christianity was legal.Constantine was baptized on his deathbed and later Christianity became the official statereligion of the Roman empire.

___

In class activities:

Created a giant wiki stick map of Pauls missionary journeys

Made our own ichthus necklaces

Learned the word martyr and discussed its meaning

Read portions of Lion Bible for Children

Added to our Medieval Notebook___

For additional information on this subject:

Book

Foxes Book of Martyrs by John Foxe

Video

Drive through History - Greece, Episode 2

Web

Great info about Pauls missionary Journeys - http://www.welcometohosanna.com/

PAULS_MISSIONARY_JOURNEYS/4voyage_1.html___

In preparation for next weeks class please allow your child to enjoy flippingthrough your new copy of Usborne Medieval Historyto become familiar with thetime period. Specifically, look at:

intro. p. 1-3


3/16

His$ricDocuments(eDeadSeaScro#s

(approx. 75AD/CE)

9/18/12Summary:Ancient writings are one of the most accurate sources of information about the past. Some ofthe oldest written records of life after the death of Jesus are those of Josephus and the DeadSea Scrolls.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are often called the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20thcentury. This collection of 972 texts includes the earliest known biblical manuscripts. Theyattest to the immense care that was taken to ensure the accuracy of the Bible.

The Scrolls are believed to have been written by the Essenes, who Flavius Josephus, aJewish historian during the first century of the Roman Empire, records as a Jewish sect whichdevoted itself to writing, purity, and isolation. Josephus many writings provide valuableeyewitness information about the New Testament era, contributingto our understanding of thesocial, political, historical, and religious background of the New Testament.

In class activities:Assembled puzzles and decoded the information we found

Sewed and wrote our own ancient manuscripts

Added to our Medieval notebook

Read portions of The Mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls by Hagit Allon Watched portions of The Dead Sea Scrolls by BBC

2.46-10.18 of Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5uZX3IloiU&feature=player_detailpage#t=165s

0-2.20 of Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbheOA9RX0M&feature=related

For additional information on this subject you may want to check out:

Books

The Dead Sea Scrolls by Ilene Cooper (64p.)

Web

View the dead sea scrolls - http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/ Learn about The Importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=FxdoJJhVsEA

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History:p.4-5, 8-11


4/16

Byzan&neEmpire&Islam

(324-1453 AD/CE)

9/25/12

Summary:The term Byzantine Empire is used to refer to the Eastern half of the Roman Empire after itwas split in half. Emperor Constantine made the city of Byzantium the capital in 324, andrenamed it Constantinople. Under Constantine, the Byzantine empire embraced Christianityand controlled east-west trade for a long period of time, making it the most powerful state inEurope.

The peak of the Byzantine Empire occurred during the Justinian Dynasty. In 527 Justinian Ibecame emperor and under his rule the empire gained territory and wealth. Justinian took onmany projects including reviewing all of the existing Roman laws re-writing them into a singlebook called the Justinian Code.

Throughout much of the Middle Ages the Byzantine Empire fought the Muslims for control ofthe eastern Mediterranean. Finally, in 1453 Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire. Atthat time Constantinople was renamed Istanbul.

___In class activities:

Looked at Byzantine clothing


Traveled on our own pilgrimage in the direction of Mecca Wrote our own Justinian Code combining several different sets of laws

Created a Byzantine mosaic

Studied the pillars of Islam: Faith, Prayer, Giving, Fasting, & Pilgrimage

Read portions of Muhammad and Islamby Kerena Marchant___For additional information on this subject:

Books

Teen Time Travelers: Get Back To Constantinople by Lori Maynard (143p.)

The Golden Age of Islam by Linda George (72p.)

Web byzantine empire video - http://sotw-videolinks.blogspot.com/2012/02/sotw-2-chapter-4-

byzantine-empire.html___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History:p. 12-15, 20


5/16

BarbarianInvasion&!eVikings

(400-1000 AD/CE)

10/2/12

Summary:The term Barbarian does not describe one specific people group. It means outsider, orpeople who were foreigners to the main ruling countries. This included the Huns, FranksVandals, Saxons, and Visigoths. They were thought of as uncivilized and unculturedpeople. During the Barbarian invasions (also known as the Migration Period) from 400 -800, these feared warriors conquered many lands including the Roman empire.

The Vandals descendants became known as the Vikings. They were fair-skinnedtraders and settlers who spent a lot of time at battle. Because they had to depend on thesea, they were expert boat builders. They launched ferocious attacks on Europe, lootingand pillaging before returning to the sea.

___


Built a Viking longboat


Played the viking game Kubb

Studied maps of scandinavia

Discussed misconceptions about Vikings Read Yo, Vikings by Schachne

___


Books

Viking Ships at Sunrise (Magic Tree House #15) by Mary Pope Osborne (96p.)

Adventures with the Vikings by Linda Bailey (48p.)Web

Fun online Viking activities - www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/

___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History:p. 6-7, 16-18


6/16

Charlemagne&!eFranks

(764-814 AD/CE)10/9/12

Summary:The largest barbarian kingdom was that of the Franks. Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer)and Pepin the Short brought the area under their control, but it is their descendantCharlemagne (Charles the Great), who is remembered as being one of Europes mostsuccessful monarchs.

Charlemagne cared deeply for education and religion. He worked hard at his studies andrequired those he conquered to submit to convert to Christianity. He, received the title ofemperor from the Pope on Christmas Day 800. This act changed the course of history by

establishing the churchs right to crown emperors and give and take away kingdom. Thiseventually lead to the Holy Roman Empire, which was neither Roman, nor particularly holy.

The Frankish empire fought continually to defend itself from both Byzantines on the East, whowere upset that a barbarian Frank had dared to claim the title of Emperor, and the Vikings,whom they were ill prepared to fight on sea.

___



Created our own pillows with pockets (Charlemagne kept a writing slate under his pillow) Studied maps of the Frankish empire

Played a trial game & Discussed trial by jury vs. trial by ordeal

Read portions of The World in the time of Charlemagne by Fiona Macdonald___


Books

Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Willard (183p.)

Web

online videos re: Charlemagne - http://sotw-videolinks.blogspot.com/2012/02/sotw-2-chapter-13-great-kings-of-france.html

online videos re the Franks - http://sotw-videolinks.blogspot.com/2012/02/sotw-2-chapter-11-kingdom-of-franks.html

___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History: p. 24-27


7/16

KingAr!urKnights&Chivalry

(500-1500 AD/CE)

10/16/12

Summary:The story of King Arthur gives us a glimpse into the tradition of knighthood in the middleages. If Arthur existed (a fact that is debated), then he was a british general who won avictory against the Germanic invaders around 500. Regardless of the fictional elements of the

Arthurian legend, Knights were trained warriors who rode horses and wore armor. They weregranted this honorary title by a monarch for their military service to the kingdom. Knights werepart of the nobility and played an important part in the crusades and other wars during theMiddle Ages. They were loyal to God and the king, and swore to follow the rules of chivalry.

___



Role played chivalrous behavior

Made our own swords and tabards

learned about the process of knighthood

Enjoyed swordfighting

listened to portions of The Kitchen Knight: A Tale of King Arthur by Margaret Hidges (32p.)

___


Books

The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Bulla (121p.)

The Making of a Knight by Patrick OBrien (32p.)

Video

Disneys The Sword in the Stone

___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History:

p. 22-23, 28-33, 45


8/16

Dailylifein!eMiddleAges,!eFeudalSys"m

(500-1400 CE)

10/23/12

Summary:During the Middle Ages, the feudal system was the primary form of social organization.Under feudalism all land was held by the king. Scattered throughout the kings land weremany small villages, each ruled by a knight or noble who was granted this honor by the kingin return for their help in fighting wars. Villages were filled with serfs (peasants) who farmedthe land and gave a portion of their crops each year to the lord in return for protection and inpayment for the use of the land.

As time passed, the first towns began to form. These were often built near a castle andresidents would pay rent to the castle owner to live there. Unlike serfs, who had no choicebut to serve the lords, freemen who lived in towns worked for and took care of themselves.Guilds began as craftsmen formed partnerships based on their trades, and agreed to supportone another in adversity and business.

___


Created our own feudal system economy using M&Ms and trading cards

Played with walking boards to demonstrate the advantage of working together like a guildAdded to our Medieval notebook

Read portions of If You Lived in the Days of the Knights by Ann McGovern

Looked at antique pots and pans to learn about how they were made and how they wereused

___


Books

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray (317p.) Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess (128p.)

___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History:p. 20


9/16

Wi#iam!eConquerorand!eBa)leofHas&ngs

(1066 AD/CE)

10/30/12

Summary:Around 1000, the vikings began to settle in the Normandy area of France. In the next fewyears they adopted the culture and language of the people they conquered, becomingcivilized Normans.

When the King Edward III (the Confessor) of England, died in 1066 without leaving a son,several men, including William, Duke of Normandy, saw an opportunity to seize the throneand become rich. The war story of the Norman Conquest of England is told in a captivatingpiece of medieval art, the 231 foot long Bayeux Tapestry.

William, who later became known as William the Conqueror, brutally invaded England. Afterlanding he quickly built motte-and-bailey castles to shore up his position. Medieval castleswere not the luxurious palaces we imagine in fairy tales. They were built first for advantage ofposition and defense, and rarely with comfort in mind. The castle was a stronghold, a placewhere all the people could retreat for protection.


Studied the Bayeux Tapestry while sitting in our own castle

Created our own large rag tapestry

Added to our Medieval notebook Read portions of The Bayeux Tapestry by Norman Denny and Josephine Filmer-

Sankey

Watched animated portions of the Bayeux Tapestery at: http://www.cosmolearning.com/videos/bayeux-tapestry-animated-version/

___For additional information on this subject:

Books

Castle by David Macaulay (78p.)

William the Conqueror: Biography from Ancient Civilizations by Susan Sales Harkins and

William H. Harkins (48p.) Web

David Macaulays Castle video - sotw-videolinks.blogspot.com/2012/03/sotw-2-chapter-16-england-after.html

___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History: p. 19, 34-39


10/16

Monas&cism,Ca!edralsand!ePowerof!eCa!olicChurch

(269-1350 AD/CE)

11/13/12

Summary:The church grew very powerful and influential during the middle ages. In 269 Christianhermits formed the first monastery. Soon monks were in many locations living simple lives,studying, writing, praying, and caring for the sick.

Missionaries spread Christianity, and the religion continued to grow despite the split in 1054between Byzantine (Orthodox) and Western European (Roman Catholic) churches. By 1300Catholic Christianity was the official religion of nearly every country in western Europe.

In stark contrast to the poverty of monks, stood the enormous cathedrals of the 1100 and1200s. In medieval times there were only 2 major employers: the kings and the church.Cathedrals were built not just for religious purposes, but also to provide employment andsymbolize the greatness of the king.

___


Briefly reviewed the growth of Christianity from Christ through the Middle Ages

Discussed the many differences between monasteries and cathedrals Created our own stained glass windows using shrinky-dinks


Wrote like monks

Read The Clown of God by Tomie Depaola and discussed religion in the middle ages

___


Books:Life in the Middle Ages: The Church by Kathryn Hinds (80p.)You Wouldnt Want to Work on a Medieval Cathedral by Fiona Macdonald (32p.)

___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History: p. 52-73, 76-85


11/16

Advances!roughout!eworld

(501-1600AD/CE)

11/27/12

Summary:Most people learn about history from only one perspective. In our country, the middle agesare generally known as the time of European castles and knights, this hyper-focus on Europeis known as eurocentrism.

From Japanese samurai, to the Anasazi apartment dwellers, there were many people livingthroughout the world during the middle ages. Their daily life differed greatly from the life inEurope, and their cultures were responsible for great advances including the invention of thenumber 0, paper money, and gunpowder.


Created our own metal maps and discussed the custom of putting Europe in the center.

Mapped the many changes happening around the globe during this period including theinvention of 0, paper money, etc.


Watched a video about eurocentrism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV7CanyzhZg

Set off mini firecrackers commemorating the Chinese invention of gunpowder

Read portions ofAround the World in 1200by Alexandra Service___

For additional information on this subject:Because we went around the world today, there are lots of different directions that you cantake your studies. Here are a few resources I recommend:

videos:Modern Marvels: The Great Wall of China- 45 minutesThe Story of India- 6 episodes (54 minutes each)Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire- 3 episodes (55 minutes each)Mayans & Aztecs- 50 minutesLost Kingdoms of Africa- 4 episodes (48-59 minutes each)

Suggested Reading:My Sister Shahrazad by Robert LeesonDragon of the Red Dawn (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope OsborneRussian Fairy Tales by Gillian Avery

__

In preparation for our next class please read the following in Usborne MedievalHistory: p.42-43


12/16

(eCrusades(1095-1250 AD/CE)

12/4/12

Summary:The Crusades were a series of tragic wars fought between Christians and Muslims for controlthe holy land of Jerusalem (Palestine).

The city of Jerusalem was the center of faith for three major world religions. This Holy Landwas conquered by Islam in the 600s A.D. In 1095 Pope Urban II called for a crusade to freeJerusalem from Muslim control. Side note: The word crusade comes from the word Crux, which means cross in Latin.Those who volunteered were called crusaders, meaning that they took the cross of Jesus upon them, literally wearing a red cross ontheir clothing.

Crusaders were promised that they would receive eternal life if they died while fighting non-Christians. As a result, they killed thousands, including Jews, on their two year journey to

Jerusalem. When they finally laid siege upon the city, they had to surround it for months.When the city fell, the Crusader army massacred its inhabitants.

Eight more crusades would follow in an effort to maintain control of the city, but the Christianhold on the area continually weakened. In 1291 A.D., the Muslims captured the last Europeanhold-out in the area and the crusades came to an end. ___


Added to our Medieval notebook Created a large timeline indicating the timing of the crusades

Discussed the terms jihad and crusade

Read portions of You Wouldnt Want to be a Crusader by Fiona MacDonald__


Books

The Minstrel in the Tower by Gloria Skurzynski (64p.)

Big Johns Secret by Elanore M. Jewett (207p.)

Web online videos - http://sotw-videolinks.blogspot.com/2012/04/sotw-2-chapter-18-age-of-crusades.html

___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History: p. 44


13/16

BlackDea!*Plague+(1348-1350 AD/CE)

1/8/13

Summary:The plague, also known as the Black Death because of the dark sores that it caused, was oneof the worst diseases in history. This illness carried by rats and fleas resulted in the death of1/3 of the population of the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

For years the disease would disappear during the winter, when fleas were less active, only toreappear again to the horror of both rich and poor.

Unfortunately, this tragedy destroyed many peoples faith in God. It led to the collapse of theeconomy and ultimately to the end of the already weakened feudal system, completelychanging the medieval world.

___


Discussed the various methods used to cure the plague

Mixed up some of our own cures and tasted our creations.

Discussed the cycle of the plague


Read Run Far, Run Fast by Timothy Decker (40p.)

___


Books

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli (121p.)

Web

music video of the black death - http://sotw-videolinks.blogspot.com/2012/04/sotw-2-

chapter-25-end-of-world.html

In preparation for our class please read the following in Usborne MedievalHistory: p. 86-89


14/16

IdeasandInven&onsof!eRenaissance

(1300-1517 AD/CE)

1/15/13

Summary:During the Middle Ages, the time consuming process of copying books by hand made thespread of new ideas very slow. People often worked very hard to solve problems that hadalready been solved, but they had no access to that information.

Johann Gutenbergs invention of the moveable type printing press was one of the mainfactors that created the explosion of ideas known as the Renaissance, a revolutionary periodin the arts and sciences. Faster and cheaper printing made books available to many peoplefor the first time. This spread of knowledge led to a new fascination with the learning thatswept through Europe. Ideas became more realistic and less dominated by religion,sometimes creating conflict between scientists and the church.

___


Assembled and printed using our own moveable type

Read portions of Johann Gutenberg, Master of Modern Printing by Michael Pollard

Explored Renaissance leisure activities and practiced walking on stilts Discussed the time consuming process of creating machines by hand


___


Books

Ink on His Fingers by Louise A. Vernon (127p.)

___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History:

p. 21


15/16

JoanofArc100YearsWar

(1337-1453 AD/CE)

1/22/13

Summary:The Hundred Years War actually lasted 116 years. It was a series of short, costly warsbetween England and France for control of the French throne. At first the English weresuccessful, winning an especially big battle at Agincourt in 1415, where they used a newweapon, the cannon. Because of several factors, including the Black Death, neither sidecould triumph quickly.

In France, a young peasant girl named Joan of Arc heard voices from heaven telling her tohelp free her country. At the age of 17, she successfully led the French to victory. Despiteher military success, the English eventually captured her and accused her of being a witchbecause she dressed in mens clothing and claimed to have visions from God. She wasburned at the stake, but was later declared to be a saint.

(Parents: I was deliberately vague in class, so as not to introduce my own beliefs into this topic. I highly suggestthat you discuss with your child which portions of the story of Joan of Arc you view as folk tale or truth. They

probably have lots of questions.)

___


Created our own coat of arms & standard


Read Joan of Arc by Diane Stanley (48p.)___


Books

Joan of Arc: Warrior Saint by Joy Williams (128p.)

Web Joan of Arc cartoon biography by Nest Entertainment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgbu1bvmWgk

Printable activity book - http://www.dscl.org/kids/JoanOfArc.pdf___

In preparation for next weeks class please read the following in UsborneMedieval History: p. 74-75, 90-91


16/16

VoyagesofExplora&onin!eMiddleAges

(1418-1600 AD/CE)

1/29/13

Summary:

During the renaissance the growth of trade, new inventions, increased knowledge, and rapidflow of information combined to bring about the age of exploration. No longer bound to theland by feudalism, people of the renaissance began to explore the world by both land andsea. They made long, dangerous journeys to find trade routes which would bypass theIslamic world, for both monetary and political reasons. These incredible journeys coveredthousands of miles, leading them far beyond the limits of the known world of that time, togreat discoveries.

___


Created our own passports

Built our own compass and used it to find north

Completed our Medieval notebook

Watched a documentary about the age of exploration: http://history.docuwat.ch/videos/?

alternative=2&channel_id=0&skip=0&subpage=video&video_id=365

___


Books

The Silk Route: 7,000 Miles of History by John S. Major (32p.)

Around the World in 100 Years by Jean Fritz

Marco Polo: The Boy Who Traveled the Medieval World by Nick McCarty (64p.)

Web

interactive map of explorers - http://ageofex.marinersmuseum.org

___

Electives begin next week!

Thank you so much for sharing your sweet children with me. We have had a lotof fun exploring the Middle Ages together.