GOAL/OBJECTIVES: Knights topic + Introducing new vocabulary + Past Tense Practice

Introduction
or warm up
5

Body 30

material

comments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClNPiTjo808

only the first

20sec

Brainstorming

Opening discussion
5-10 min

The same video and the plot summary

New lesson
10-15 min

Lilly Allen: Im a Knight Worksheet

The Coat of Arms

5 min

Passage about heraldry

only the first

minute

Designing a Coat of
Arms
10 min
Some students explain
their coats of arms

Ending

Explaining the
homework, answering
questions

In the time
left
Homework: Reading about Knights

Lesson Plan:
1) Introductory questions (5 min):
What can we see in the video?
What age is it?
Who are the people in the video? What are they doing?
What does the boy wish to be?
Do you know the movie?
Quick brainstorming activity: everybody says the first word that comes to mind about the Age of
Knights. Put them on the whiteboard for later reference.
2) Play the video again for more eye candy and to set the mood. Afterwards ask a student to read out the
plot summary on the handout.
Ask whether the story idea is historically accurate / what may be the possible outcome of the main
characters deception. Dont provide answers yet. (5-10 minutes. 10 only if the group becomes engaged
in a promising discussion).

3) Have the students read the short passage about becoming a knight. Ask again whether A Knights Tale
can be accurate (it cant be, squires are always nobles).
Afterwards let the students work in pairs and try to figure out a squires tasks in the Medieval Ages.
Not everything is mentioned in the text, the goal is to make them argue about the matter. Monitor work,
help them with unknown words. When most pairs are ready, have a short class feedback section.
4) Read the passage about coats of arms, explain unknown words. Explain that the colors and shapes in
heraldry are symbolic. Ask if the students would use another symbols instead of the ones listed among
the examples. Note them on the whiteboard for further reference.
5) Designing a Coat of Arms: the emphasis is not on the drawing skills or making pretty sigils, but if some
of the students enjoy art and do not take too long, let them have fun. Monitor work, encourage original
ideas (new symbols that students make up on the spot).

Readings and materials:

*** 1 ***
A knights tale:
When a knight dies during a fight, one of his squires, William Thatcher, disguises himself as his master
to win the prize money of the tournament. He wins the fight and decides to, together with his fellow
squires Wat and Roland, take on a new false identity as a knight and make a living winning
tournaments. On their way to a tournament, they meet Geoffrey Chaucer, a poor writer who joins the
group. The four of them keep traveling through England, fighting in tournaments.
*** 2 ***
Becoming a Knight
At the age of about seven, a boy of noble birth was sent away to another noblemans household to
become a page. A page learned courtly manners, horse riding and how to fight. When about 14, a page
became a squire, apprenticed to a knight. A squire learned to use weapons. He also looked after his
masters armor and horses, served his lord and assisted him in battle.
A successful squire became a knight when he was 21 years old at a ceremony called dubbing.
What did the squire do in medieval times?
o protect the knight
o carry the knights shield and sword
o serve the knights meal
o take care of the knights horses
o train in the art of war
o train in the art of love
o learn to read and write
o have fun and hunt
o learn proper etiquette
o carry the knights flag
o help the knight on the battlefield
o go to tournaments with the knight
o fight in tournaments
o dress the knight in armor
o make sure the weapons and armor were in good condition

*** 3 ***

A Coat of Arms or Family Crest has long been a symbol of a family's identity and values. Originally
used to identify warriors dressed in armor, each knight chose symbols and colors to represent his
family or clan. These family crests or coats of arms have been passed down throughout generations.
Heraldry is the study of coats of arms. In heraldry every pattern and every color has some kind of
meaning. The coat of arms is truly the symbol of the family.
Meaning of Colors:
Gold
Silver
Red
Blue
Black
Green

understanding, respect
cleanliness, wisdom
the color of warriors
strength and loyalty
grief
freedom and beauty

Meaning of Symbols:
Apple
Arm
Arrow
Bear
Boar
Bull
Crown
Dove
Two-headed eagle

happiness, peace
hard work
ready for war
strength
courage
bravery
victory
purity
protector