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rm4mrfrus
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Ok ladies,
I have my book list all ready, books put on hold at the library and am excited about starting a new history unit this week on the Middle Ages. I have searched here and found loads of books and websites but am still a bit scarce on actual activities or projects to do. This will only be my second "real learning" unit since backing off packaged curriculum so I am looking for your favorite actual activities to do to tie in what we read.
With all the books I have found I think it will take an entire semester to adequately cover the Middle Ages....I am going to cover from about 500-1500 and have ideas for subjects to cover but aside from talking about those subjects, I am sketchy on how to do things that will cement this in their heads. My kiddos who will be doing the most are the 10 yr old, 9 yr old and 6 yr old.
So any advice, suggestions, etc? I have found a wealth of info and now have to figure out how to transform that info into a unit!
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Hollee married to dh in 94,
ds(96), dd(97), ds(00), ds(02), ds(03) and dd(05)
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Paula in MN
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I have this book and it is fascinating!
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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rm4mrfrus
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Thanks Paula! I will add that one to my list to request from the library! Cooking is one thing my littles LOVE to do so that will fit in nicely! Any favorite recipes from the book so far? BTW, my parents are both from MN-Austin...I have great memories of trips to MN but have not been there in at least 20 yrs!
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Hollee married to dh in 94,
ds(96), dd(97), ds(00), ds(02), ds(03) and dd(05)
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ALmom
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My children looked at pics in the history books and tried to imitate the weaponry and armor. Start collecting pop tops and 18 gauge wire (floral shops have it). My children created stuff out of their own imigination with duct tape (silver), ice cream buckets, wooden poles and gloves. My nephew made his own crossbow, my children did regular bows (we didn't worry at first as they were a bit flimsy - but they learned rather quickly how to make them work well - so watch for having to set rules of use!). One friend of my son actually made a gauntlet, coif and chain mail shirt. This was totally awesome and used the pop tops and 18 gauge wire plus some sewing skills. My children made the stuff that goes over with the symbols on it (used the symbol of the saint they were named after). My daugther then asked to have a medieval supper complete with bone throwing and spitting - I cringe to admit we allowed it (hoped it would be warm enough for outside but alas we had it in the kitchen and I found a bone under something about 2 weeks later - must have missed it when we swept and mopped afterwards.) They just used details they learned from a composite of the different historical fiction - and then a couple of actual history books - no craft books as these would probably have turned them off as too contrived. They did borrow a book with medieval supper menus and dd cooked it herself.
Janet
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Carole N.
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Janet that sounds so cool. We are starting a medieval unit this year. I was wondering about the meal and the bone throwing. I am inspired. Any references to the books that you used?
Thanks.
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Carole ... in Wales
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Paula in MN
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Hollee -- no favorite recipes, just very interesting and informative on the way people ate then. I'll look through it and try to remember a few.
Interesting about Austin -- the in-laws family is all from there. Most are now deceased, but they lived there MANY years!!!
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Paula
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rm4mrfrus
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Janet, How fun! My kids would be all OVER that bone throwing! I'll have to put it on the back end of this unit so we will have a chance of warmer weather and can sit on the deck and throw! I'll definitely have to do more research on that aspect of dining a la Middle Ages! We don't really drink any sodas but I will have to see if I can recruit some friends who do because that chain mail idea sounds too good to pass up.
Paula,
My relatives who lived in MN all have passed away now too...that is why we don't go back there anymore. I do have cousins and all, but we don't keep in touch anymore! I bet our relatives knew each other, Austin seemed to be such a small town!
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Hollee married to dh in 94,
ds(96), dd(97), ds(00), ds(02), ds(03) and dd(05)
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ALmom
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I have no idea, literally, which of our resources my dc pulled. I'll ask them tomorrow after co-op and post when I know. (I am a unit study failure and a craft/activity failure so my dc do that part on their own  ).
I did want to apologize to the original poster - I just noticed the ages of your children and should have realized that what helped us is having an older, creative child do all the inspiring (mostly children 10 and over doing the leading).
Janet
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Dawn
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Hollee, have you looked at Story of the World Volume II: The Middle Ages? This is what we are using as a spine. The Activity Guide has lots of interesting activities (with instructions) for learning about this time - like games, shield decorating, recipes, etc.
Field Trip:
Do you have a castle or an armory nearby you can visit? We have done the former (LOVED it) and will do the latter this winter.
Drama:
My boys really enjoy acting out the stories they've read. We're reading King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and there's a lot of sword play going on around here.  Not that there wasn't before,  but now I hear words like "Excalibur" and "jousting" and "squire" being bandied about. I'd say have cloaks and crowns and armor, lots of dress up things on hand, if your children like that sort of thing.
OK, this would be fun - how about finding a time when you will be home for a whole day (or 2 or 3) and pretend your home is a castle under seige? 
Love the idea of a medieval feast - we'll be doing that at the end of the year.
Nature study:
How about some medieval gardening? The middle ages were a time when Marian devotion blossomed, including Mary gardens. Monasteries too were famous for their gardens, beekeeping etc.
Also raptors - falconry was favored at that time. Now, I'm not about to try that, but we will study falcons, see them at a sanctuary and maybe even adopt one through the VINS Adopt-a-Raptor program.
Creative writing:
Keep a diary as a young page in a castle (this would be a fun blog).
Penmanship:
Iluminated Lettering Kit (I have this on order.)
Block play:
We used the Roman arch kit last year but this looks fun:Medieval Castle Set
You've got me thinking now! I'll post more when I can.
ETA:
Art/Architecture:
How about looking at stained glass and cathedrals? You could make some Rose Windows. Learn about how a Cathedral was built.
Take a survey of the stained glass windows in your church (or another with this type of window).
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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stacykay
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Oh, I love that illuminated lettering kit! We have been working on copying the Psalms (for the younger ds he has just one verse, the older more, and me, the whole thing-I couldn't resist trying my hand at it.  ) We have just been using colored pencils.
This kit looks great.  I guess we could try stickers, also?
My goal (albeit very lofty, we'll see how far I get,) is to copy and illuminate every Psalm. It will take years, but would be neat when I get done. As the boys get older, they can copy more, too.
Thanks Dawn!
God Bless,
Stacy in MI (with light flurries and just a dusting on the ground! At least it's snow!)
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ALmom
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OK, I asked my dd. For activity ideas they used:
Medieval Times Activity Book by Edupress (I think I got this and the other book from Emmanuel Press) and it would work for young children.
I also had The making of a Knight by Patrick O'Brien.
Of course we read tons of historical fiction - got some from Our Lady of Victory and some from Emmanuel Books and any from Bethlehem books in that time period.
Janet
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Carole N.
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Janet, thanks somuch for those references. We just started the unit, and I have purchased the books necessary for the reading part. Just looking for some cool activities.
Dawn, thanks for your ideas. I am thinking about the illuminated lettering kit. I love Heartsong as it is (just received a catalog in the mail this weekend). I already have a list for them.
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Carole ... in Wales
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rm4mrfrus
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Janet, thank you! I will see if my 10 yr old can take the lead with some of this because I am craft/unit impaired too right now....still trying to figure it out!
Dawn, fantastic ideas-and I think I will have to order the Story of the World to use as a spine. Believe it or not, we actually have a little castle listed on a castles in the US website right here in our little town! I have no idea where it is (still getting used to our new town) but think we could find it pretty easily...it is a private residence now in a neighborhood!
Now I just need to figure out how to make dh see that we NEED all these great resources and that our budget can support them!!!
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Hollee married to dh in 94,
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teachingmom
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We studied the Middle Ages 2 years ago. I remember making catapults. Everyone also designed her own Coat of Arms. Sugar cube castles are another fun project. Can't remember much else off the top of my head. We used the following hands-on project books:
Knights and Castles: 50 Hands on Activities to Experience the Middle Ages by Avery Hart and Paul Mantell ( A Kaleidoscope Kids Book)
Medieval Times Activity Book by Edupress (mentioned above by Janet)
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Victoria in AZ
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Our local homeschooling group is having a Medieval Fest in two weeks, so I am interested in more craft ideas as well.
Thank you and
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Victoria in AZ
dh Mike 24 yrs; ds Kyle 18; dd Katie 12; and one funny pug
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MichelleW
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We studied this a couple of years ago and a I hosted a huge medieval feast here. It was so much fun! We sent out scroll invitations (we re-named everyone i.e. my dh was Sir Todd, Duke of Winter Green--our last name is Winter). We had over 30 people attend and everyone had a job. We had a Herald who announced each person and the change in every activity and meal course. We had a King who oversaw the "games." The games included things like ride a stick horse quickly while holding a long pretzel (tied with ribbons) and attempte to skewer donoughts hanging from a pole, we had archery, I can't remember, there were a couple more...oh! medieval dancing!
I had a family assigned to entertainment between each course. We had a couple of handwashers to go around before each course.
At the end the King and Queen gave out medals (we found them at the dollar store and tied ribbons into a necklace of sorts) and knighted several people.
I think I can put my hands on the menu if you're interested...
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Michelle
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rm4mrfrus
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Irene, I'm putting those two books on order! Thanks~!
Michelle Oh boy, that is courageous! I would love to see the menu if you can find it! I bet everyone had a blast!
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Hollee married to dh in 94,
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ladybugs
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I saw this on Rivendell's blog: The Shire Housing Community
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Maria P
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MichelleW
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Ok, I found the program. I had these printed and available for those who wanted to know the order of events. The Herald is so important to making the day run smoothly! Each course has it's own dessert.
THE GRANDE ORDRE
Herald Cries the Names of the Assembly
Pre-feast dance lessons on the green
Herald calls for announcements
Herald Calls the Assembly to the Tournament Arena
Herald Announces the King
Prayer
The King opens the games
Games
The King closes the games
Herald announces the families entrance to the dining hall
Families enter, wash, and stand behind their chairs
Herald announces the King
Herald announces the beginning of the feast
All sit
Panter cuts upper crust for King and most honored guests
Grace
Herald announces the first course:
SPYNACH RYALLE (spinach dip served with bread chunks)
MEAT TID-BITS (an appetizer that was bacon wrapped)
First Course is served
Herald announces the end of the first course
Servant comes forward with LIMON BREDE (lemon squares)
Herald calls for announcements
Herald call for entertainment
Laver passes
Herald announces second course:
BOUEF BARLEY STEW
EN TRENCHER (beef barley stew served in bread bowls)
Herald announces the end of the second course
Servant comes forward with BURREBREDE A LAVENDULA (lavender cookies)
Herald announces the Dance
Dance
Laver passes
Herald announces the third course
CHYCKEN A ROSTE (rotisserie chicken)
SALLAT (lettuce wedges, whole carrots and radishes with tops still attached)
Herald announces the end of the third course
Servant comes forward with FYGYE (fig newtons)
Herald call for entertainment
Laver passes
Herald announces the fourth course
FRUYTE (washed, but uncut fruit like strawberries, cherries, apples, pears, etc.)
Herald announces the end of the fourth course
Servant comes forward with FRUYTE CAKES (mini muffins with jam centers)
Herald announces the court
Herald announces the King
King opens court
Knighting ceremony
Awards Presentation
King closes court
Laver passes
Herald announces the fifth course
SPRINGE CAKES (cupcakes with candied pansies)
Herald announces the end of the feast
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Michelle
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MaryM
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Maureen Wittman just posted this on the History Place Yahoo group:
Hi Everyone!
I just got back from the print store and made up 25 copies each of the Renaissance and Middle Ages puzzle books slash unit studies.
The Renaissance booklet is 36 pages (8 by 6) and the Middle Ages booklet is 40 pages (same size).
Both have a chronological reading list and fun puzzles. It's what I used when I taught my kids these eras. They designed for grade school to middle school kids. However, the reading list for the parents could also be used for high school students.
To make life easy, I'm going to price them at $8 for one and $15 for two (save a buck if you buy two). That includes postage and handling. (United States only.)
I'll take a bunch with me to Kansas City this weekend if any of you will be at the Catholic homeschooling conference there.
Otherwise, you can mail order them by using Paypal (to: _mwittlans@aol.com_
(mailto:mwittlans@aol.com) ) including credit cards.
Or, you can mail a check to Maureen Wittmann, 1927 Cumberland Rd., Lansing, MI 48906.
Please be forewarned that I'll be out of town a lot over the next month, so any Paypals or checks I receive after next week may take little longer to get to the post office.
It's been fun revisiting these booklets and updating them a bit. Thank you all for the kick in the pants :-).
Blessings,
Maureen :)
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Mary M. in Denver
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Topic: Best activities for Medieval Unit?
