Unit Theme/Focus

Medieval Europe (476 – 1453)

Grade Level

9^th

Duration (days/weeks)

(Suggested quarter or time of year best taught in)

4 weeks after the end of the unit on Byzantium and Islam.

Narrative Description

This unit covers Europe after the fall of Rome until the Crusades.

Focus Questions/

Essential Learnings

(What are the overarching goals of the unit?)

1. The Merovingian Franks from Clovis until the rise of the Carolingians (732).
2. Christian conversions.
3. Charles Martel.
4. The Battle of Tours and the Islamic defeat.
5. The Carolingians.
6. Charlemagne 764-814.
7. The Carolingian Renaissance.
8. The Vikings.
9. England until 1066.
10. William the Conqueror.
11. Feudal life.
12. The Crusades 1096 – 1204.
13. Church against State.

LEARNING TARGETS

Concepts & Skills: 10-15 specific content learnings in this unit.  Measurable statements of what the students should know & understand (Declarative Knowledge) and be able to do (Procedural Knowledge)

1. How the Franks become civilized.
2. Why the Merovingians declined.
3. The nature of Charlemagne and his ‘little Renaissance.’
4. How the Vikings impacted Eastern Europe 800 – 1100.
5. The nature of Medieval economics, politics and society.
6. What was the result of the Church – State conflicts?
7. Why were the Crusades seen as defensive?
8. What was the result of the 4^th Crusade?
9. The Reconquista 732 -  1492.

Primary Assessments

(What assessments and evidence is necessary to assess student understanding?)

1. All students must master the elements of historical essay writing.

2. All students must be familiar with the analysis of historical data.

All students must be able to outline Medieval history from Clovis until Richard the Lion Heart. 

Technology Connections/

Integration

1. All quizzes and exams must have an Internet component; that is, all  essays must show evidence of research done outside of the class and the text. 

Primary Resources/Materials

1. The Pageant of World History.
2. The History of the Franks, by Gregory of Tours.
3. Beowolf.

Teacher Reflections

(Sample activities or tasks that have proven useful and successful)

1. Weekly in-class essay quizzes and exams have proved to be invaluable to improve students’ writing and understanding of the subject.

2. Having all students show evidence of Internet research improves markedly the quality of information written on in-class essays.