Life a 1000 years ago? How do we even relate?
Covering ~1000 years of history, the Middle Ages is a treasure trove of learning.
What does the term “Middle Ages” mean? When did this period take place? How did people live? What about art, politics, and society at large? Can we relate to life at the time? All of these questions (and more!) are answered in this unit on the Middle Ages! Students will engage in the topic through inquiry-based, three-part lesson plans, an abundance of resources, handouts, small and large group activities, assignments, and assessment suggestions. Each lesson is supported with a mixture of still, video, and interactive media.
The Explorer High School Program is designed to make it easy for teachers to plug and play. Be sure to check out our digital slide decks for easy implementation in traditional and digital classrooms, as well as our curriculum key for links to courses in the Ontario Secondary School curriculums!
Dive into The Middle Ages Lessons:
Lesson 1
Overview of the Middles Ages in Europe
In this introductory lesson, students will consider what they know and wonder about the cultural, political, and social aspects of the Middle Ages in Europe. They will activate their thinking by examining a set of images and participating in a gallery walk activity. Students will add to their knowledge by exploring a set of interactive slides about the Middle Ages. They will consolidate their learning through a comparison of Medieval life to modern times and/or by completing a quiz.
Lesson 2
Elements of European Medieval Music
In this lesson, students will explore important unique characteristics of European music from the Middle Ages and how they influenced later musical periods. Students will begin with an expert group activity to review their understanding of the elements of music. Using the elements of music as a framework, they will explore music from the Middle Ages using an interactive slide deck. Finally, students will consolidate their learning through a quiz and/or by analyzing a piece of Medieval music.
Lesson 3
European Instruments in the Medieval Period
In this lesson, students will explore instruments and ensemble formations unique to music in the Middle Ages. They will activate their prior knowledge about instruments through a listening activity. Using an interactive slide deck, they will then explore the timbre and evolution of instruments and ensembles that are unique to music in the Middle Ages. Students will demonstrate their learning through a quiz and/or by creating a cover version of a piece of music from the Middle Ages.
Lesson 4
Influential Women: Profile of Hildegard von Bingen
In this lesson, students will learn about the life and contributions of one of the Middle Ages’ most important figures: Hildegard von Bingen. Using her life as a framework, students will make connections to the contemporary world as they assess the impact of modern-day women of influence.
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