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MaryM
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We are offering a boy's chivalry class for our local Catholic homeschool enrichment program. We are having guest speakers talk/present various topics related to virtue, character, and chivalry. We have met two times so far and it has mostly been talking. The age range is 6th-9th grade. We are loosely using Fr. Lasance's The Young Man's Guide as a basis for topics.
The boys are needing some "active" time along with the presentations and discussions. We want this to be a hands-on "living" class so need ideas for activities and projects that might be fitting for the class. We had an equivalent type class for the girls before - etiquette. There seemed so much more that could be actively incorporated into that class (practicing manners, setting a table, planning a party, having a tea, determining their "colors", making a centerpiece, practicing introductions, making calling cards). Obviously some of those would be fitting for the boys (manners, introductions) but want to focus on some more masculine activities - real life stuff. We can't exactly joust...  
Some ideas that we are considering:
-Make a personal heraldic banner
-Come up with motto
But we need more and I'm not thinking of much. Any ideas...?
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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JodieLyn
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What about practicing something like holding a door open for a female.. with varied responses from a simple ladylike thank you to dealing with the woman who sneers at them and pulls the door away from them and tells them that they don't need a man to hold a door.
I do think that boys need to understand that sometimes women don't act like ladies when presented with chivalrous behavior on the part of gentlemen. And practicing what a proper response might be would help them both not be discouraged when they encounter it but also keep them from feeling "run over" when it happens.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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JodieLyn
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Also how do you maneuver into the correct position.. for instance, when walking along a road the gentleman should be on the side closest to vehicles (though I believe historically it was more from the danger of chamber pots that they walked either on the inside or outside).
How do you assist a lady with a chair or a coat?
Most women probably aren't used to having a car door opened for them, so how would they get to the door and take over without hurting anyone?
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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JodieLyn
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You could have someone come in and do some self defense type of classes.. then they'd be more able to come to the rescue.  And if you do it earlier, when you need something to help get the wiggles out you could have some practice. 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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SeaStar
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Mary-
The Art of Manliness is a great place to look for ideas. Some of the categories are: dress and grooming,
manly skills and family and relationships.
Some of the topics are how to thread a needle, how to carve a turkey, and how to whistle with your fingers (a very useful skill to have for emergencies or to get everyone's attention in a crowd). Also- how to be a good neighbor.
The boys could also design a coat of arms for their families or themselves.
One topic that I think is very important but is rarely discussed is how to give and receive gifts. Gift giving is a tricky business- there is often disappoint on both ends.
With my own kids, I talk about how no one buys a gift and gives it hoping to make the recipient cry or feel disappointed. The love behind the gift is the important thing. You don't have to like or keep a gift you receive, but you do need to recognize the love/good will behind it and be thankful for that. That is the true gift!
A fun activity for your class would be to have a white elephant or even a "gross out" gift exchange and have the boys practice giving and receiving gifts that might not be things they really like (ex. a baby board book, a can of peas, a Barney dvd... just things around the house that could be easily wrapped and used for class purposes).
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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SeaStar
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You could also add a segment about writing a good thank you note.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Shari in NY
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This looks like alot of fun! How about a fencing competition? I don't know many homeschool boys who don't have a pile of wooden swords laying around. Maybe the older boys or dads could referee?
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JennGM
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Do stress table manners, simple stuff like how to hold a fork and knife, Cutting food, how to use a napkin, chewing with mouth closed, no slurping or biting silverware, how to drink, no burping, no elbows, no whistling or singing at dinner...basic stuff that parents always say, but in a fun setting it can be better reinforcement.
I have to remember where I read an excellent description of the chivalric age and the emphasis. If I remember correctly it hinged on the idea of honoring Our Lady, and all ladies were an imitation of Our Lady and the Church.
The men were imitating Christ, who gave His life for the Church. So no acts are too small or large. And the prevailing thought is charity. Why do we have etiquette? It is charity towards others.
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Bridget
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I would include a push up competition for strength building, friendly competition, and to burn off energy. (If thats possible.  )
Chess
tying a necktie and bow tie
What a great idea for a class!
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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MaryM
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Thanks for everyone's input and thoughts. The holding doors, offering chairs, table manners, etc. are all ideas we had planned to include in our manners activity. And it would be good to include the varied possible responses as you mention. I really like the thank you note writing (though I am sure they won't... ). I had seen the Art of Manliness site and had been perusing for ideas but they weren't necessarily coinciding with the sections of the book. I like the idea of the coat of arms - which would be the same as a heraldic banner, I think. All the really physical ideas you mention, Bridget would be great. Shari, I would love to do a fencing day of some sort but not sure how that would work in reality. Any specific ideas? My son did mention that a friend of his has book on making duct tape swords. Something like that might be cool, with an exhibition following.
Keep the ideas coming...I really appreciate your brainstorming help.
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Mary M. in Denver
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JodieLyn
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Mary the duct tape swords I believe are called boffers and you can find directions online. I'll hunt up the one I posted to my son's facebook.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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JodieLyn
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Ah here we go.. this isn't the one I posted to my son but it looks good. Boffer Sword Directions
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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CrunchyMom
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Not sure if it is the same as your friend's, but have you seen these duct tape books.
I think that is the book that The Blue Knights was based on. Have you looked at any of their materials for inspiration?
In my experience, boys are competitive, so anything you could turn into a game to win. I just quickly skimmed the headings and a few ideas came to mind.
What about when you talk about authority playing a game like Simon Says where you have to listen to the person in charge?
If you are talking about self control, perhaps a contest where you have to sit perfectly still? Or maybe stare down the other person?
Also, George Washington's rules came to mind. What if you could somehow incorporate those sayings like with fortune cookies? Or maybe a word puzzle for individual tables or teams to put together (first, then win a prize) and read aloud?
I'll keep thinking. If everyone has Nerf Guns, a nerf battle of some sort would be a winner. Perhaps you could discuss the rules of engagement and tie those in somehow?
This is off the tip tip top of my head , but I will try to think a little more. I know that boys like some sort of activity to break up the talking, and it sounds like you have enough artsy-craftsy things covered. If you shared your topic titles, that might help inspire some brainstorming.
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Lindsay
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MaryM
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Thanks, Lindsay! Those are terrific ideas. The topics aren't all set yet. That is part of what we are doing - if we can find good ideas we will include those topics. We are using the chapter headings in the Fr. Lasance The Young Man's Guide book as jumping off points for the discussions. The speakers are priests, seminarians, and another young man who teaches one of our other classes.
Part First: The Panoply of War
The Shield of Faith
The Helmet of Hope
The Arrow of the Love of God
The Lance of the Fear of God
The Sword of Respect for Authority
The Breastplate of Justice
The Girdle of Self-Control
The Bow of Work
Part Second: Conflict and Conquest
The Struggle and the Prize
The Enemy
Defeat
How to Conquer
Part Third: On the Journey of Life
Manhood
Part Fourth: At the Parting of the Ways
Whither Goest Thou
The Married State
The Priesthood
The Religious State
Farewell
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Mary M. in Denver
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MaryM
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Oh, and thanks for all the duct tape ideas and resources...
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Mary M. in Denver
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SeaStar
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Mary-
It may be too late now, but I just came across the book Socialsklz:-) For Success at the library.
What a fantastic book! It is written to teach kids all they need to know to make a good first impression, communicate well and generally know the rules of living in polite society.
It walks them through even basic things like how to have a good handshake. There is a lot of role-playing, some of it very humorous to help stress what not to do as well as what is correct.
i could really see some of the exercises in the book being good for your chivalry class.
What really grabs me about this book is that it is a manners guide written for the modern kid, including the digital world. And isn't there such a need for this book? I mean- the Goops can only get you so far in life... and then you have to live in the modern world.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Topic: Chivalry Class Ideas?
