Middle Ages Unit Plan

Unit Title: Sword and the Circle & King Arthur Grade Level(s): 8 Subject/Topic Areas: English, History, Technology Designed by Ryan Neelon

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

Established Goals The purpose of this unit is to introduce student to the historical legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table through the book Sword and the Circle by Rosemary Sutcliffe and to have the student identify the role that these legends have played throughout their history. Students will contrast their own lives with those of the characters in Sutcliffe s work to gain a deeper understand of what life was like during the Middle Ages. What understandings are desired?

Students will understand: The original King Arthur stories were born of historic events for Britain. Knights were a clear representation of a Chivalric Code. The strong, reoccurring themes which are present in Arthurian legends. The differences between a legend and a historical account.

What essential questions will be considered? How was life different for people in the Middle Ages? How does the use of motifs, themes, objects, and places create symbolism in the King Arthur legends?

What is the historical significance of the King Arthur legends? How did the myth grow out of history?

What key knowledge and skills will students acquire as a result of this unit? Students will: Know about the lifestyles of people who lived in the Middle Ages. Know why King Arthur stories are still relevant to this day. Know how historic events helped shape the Arthurian legend. Gain a deeper understanding of Middle Ages writing and prose. Understand the chivalric code that is established in Arthurian legends.

Students will be able to: Analyze a character and detail their unique qualities. Understand the importance of King Arthur legends to European history. Interact academically in an online message board and bring these discussions into the classroom. Develop an artifact that is represented of a specific theme from the Middle Ages. Work together to find the answers to student generated questions about the reading. Direct the direction of class discussions based on their interests and questions.

Maine Learning Results:

A2, A3, A4, B1, B6, B7, C2, C3, C5, C6, D2, E2

Stage 2: Determine acceptable evidence

What evidence will show that students understand? Students will utilize an online discussion board to discuss the night s reading assignments, helping one another answer questions and start a conversion that will carry over to class the next day. Other Evidences (quizzes, tests,prompts, observations, dialogues, work samples, etc) Students will collect information on a topic of particular interest to them and create an artifact of their choice that they believe best represents that topic. The students will answer prompts on the discussion board that will be based on the direction of class discussions. Complete entrance and exit slips to assess understanding of key topics, themes, and characters.

Stage 3 Activity & Lesson Planning

WHERETO Where is the unit headed and why? Hook the students in the beginning and hold their attention Equip the students with necessary experiences, tools, knowledge, and know-how to meet performance standards. Provide students with numerous opportunities to: Rethink big ideas, reflect on progress, revise their work. Evaluate progress and self assess Tailored to individual students Organized for deep understanding/ not superficial coverage WHERETO Activities: 1. View maps and images of historic Britain to understand the origins of King Arthur legends. 2. Discuss daily writing prompts with one another in a social, online environment that will connect to critical concepts from the reading. 3. Discuss the significance of specific characters from Arthur s Round Table that represent an important theme that occurs throughout Sutcliffe s work. 4. Connect King Arthur stories to current times by viewing popular culture representations of Arthurian Legends.

Monday 11/29 -Start class with ideas on the board about the middle ages: -Have students work in groups of 2-3 to work together to find 3 words that they would use to describe the middle ages -Put the words up on the board -Tell them about Wordle and how we can add all these words together to get a strong understanding of the time period Will post the Wordles for each class on Wiki -What preconceived notions do they have about medieval times? -What do they know about King Arthur and Arthurian legends? -Do they think that Arthur was a real historical figure? -What was different about medieval times than the present? -Make sure that you get a response from everybody- even if you have to call on them -Ask students if they have any initial questions about the reading or medieval times in general -Acknowledge that we are making a significant shift in literature and the need to close attention, patience, and good questions -Put a basic timeline up on the board showing major events in middle ages: -5th century 400 s to 15th century 1400 s -First appearance of King Arthur s name in 600 s in Welsh poem -Arthur prominent historical figure through 900 s in British writing -1138 Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote semi-historical History of the Kings of Britain took many of the oral traditions about the mythical Arthur and blended/embellished them into the first Arthurian novel -From that point on legend was born and furthered embellished by poets/writers -1400 s Sir Thomas Malory 1st English(NOT LATIN) version instant hit and the basis for all future Arthurian stories -As Christianity took hold of area Stories took on Christian tones Chivalrous Knights are born -Constant re-writing of King Arthur stories new ideas on the same basic characters/events -1979 Rosemary Sutcliff s Sword and the Circle

-Show a map of England/Europe during the time of the story explain Celtic/Saxon battles and the immergence of a legendary Celtic warrior fighting for Britain -Point out areas of interest in the stories London, where Camelot might be -Go over the basics of King Arthur and the legends that exist (IF TIME) -Touch on different characters, but no character analysis yet

-Keep close track of time make sure there is enough time for online discussion explanation -Direct students to open their tablets and go to the website:

http://swordandthecircle.wikispaces.com

-Ask students if they have had experience with online discussion before -Detailed explanation of how to post on wikispaces HAVE THEM PRACTICE POSTING IN PRACTICE AREA -Explain its importance to this week and having lively class discussions -Give assignment for homework, make 1 post about something that intrigued them about the reading and something that they had a question about their initial post should be a minimum of 100 words -Also need to post a response to at least one of their classmate s posts (50 words) http://labyrinth.georgetown.edu/ Entrance Slip The Sword and the Circle 1) Write one unique fact that you know about medieval times.

2) Have you ever heard of King Arthur? Is so, how did you learn about him?

3) What is one major difference between life in medieval times and life now?

Tuesday 11/30 Sword and the Circle

-Make sure students have their books and their tablets before entering class -Start class with about 7 10 minutes of small group (2-3) to discuss what they wrote on the wiki for the previous night s homework -Must stay on task give them guiding questions they will need to answer/present -Seemed to be many questions as to why Utha would give up his son, knowing the prophecy of Merlin. Why do you think he gave him up? -Also many questions about the dragons and the prophecies of Merlin. Why does Vertigern trust Merlin from the very beginning? Why does his opinion of him change? -Questions about Utha and his deception of Duchess Igraine. Why do you believe that Utha deceives her? Does he feel guilty about the death of Gorloise? -Explain that the hope is that small group discussions will lead to a productive group discussion -Move from group to group to ensure that they are on task and hear what they have to share -Start close reading of the day s chapter/chapters noting important events and character descriptions -Vortigern description Is he a powerful leader? Or does he look to others for help? Maybe he bit off more than he could chew by killing previous high king? -He is an original Celtic (red beard, narrow eyes) but calls on the Saxons for help He is blamed for the Saxons ultimately taking over Britain -Constantly summoning his wise men, seers, and magicians What is the modern day equivalent to this? -What is their initial suggestion? Build a mighty tower and hide in it nothing else left to you -What is the major issue with the construction of this tower? What do the wise men recommend? -Why a youth with no mortal father? Why kill him in such a manner? References druid old, sacred way -How does Merlin act in front of Vortigern? Is he respectful? -What does Merlin suggest should be done instead of sacrificing him? Pokes fun at the old magicians The sight and the power have grown weak in you they do not argue this point

-What is underneath all of the construction of the tower? What is the significance of the dragons? when it seemed that all was over parallel to the feelings of those in Britain, on the edge of losing -Read the paragraph about Merlin s powers and where they came from -Foresees the death of Vortigern- your time is short Who is going to kill him? sons of the man he killed to take the throne away from Ambrosius and Utha -How does Vertigern respond to this prophecy? Fear and rage Merlin simply disappears -Ambrosius takes the crown him and Utha push Saxons back out Utha sees vision in the night sky Asks Merlin about it brother has died, but explains that the visions tells of his great son -Who is the Duchess Igraine? Utha falls hard for her What is the problem with this? -Sends his men to attack Duke of Cornwall A bit of an overreaction? Kills him -What deal does Utha make with Merlin? Will do anything to get Igraine Gives up his son -Why does Merlin want to take this son from Utha? -Under disguise as Gorloise, Utha goes to Igraine and seduces her Arthur is conceived -While all this is happening, Gorloise is killed in battle Igraine hears this and wonders who she had just spent the night with tells no one about it -Six months later Utha and Igraine are married What does she say when Utha asks about the father of her baby?-Utha tells her the truth about that night she is sad but he comforts her -Arthur is born and is immediately handed over to Merlin who gives him to Sir Ector to be raised with knightly valor and courtesy -Igraine loses her husband and her child with Utha is taken away from her

-For homework on the wiki for Thursday, have students choose a character that they found interesting and detail their unique qualities in their discussion posts

Wednesday 12/1 -We will go to the library to research topics for middle ages projects -Before heading over to library, give students significant purpose for this trip and explain that we absolutely need to be quiet and respectful while in the library -If we are not respectful then we will come back and do some in-class writing -Explain the museum project to the students, highlighting important areas: 1 page written paper, a created artifact that they will display in the classroom (NOT a poster!) -Write ideas about possible topics on the board from the museum project sheet -See where student s interests lie and what sources they might consult -Hand out library research sheet to keep them focused and attentive in the library -Many sources to consult - start with the encyclopedia of the middle ages and then choose a topic to narrow from there -More specific resources on the second floor, show them where they can be found when they are done with their initial resource -Allow students to use tablets to do research online but make sure they are using appropriate research resources (Ebsco, journal databases) not Wikipedia or Google. -Check in with each student during time in the library to see where their interests lie and what direction their research is taking them -If students are not behaving appropriately, come back to classroom, give them writing prompt: -Chivalric code: The duties of a "good and faithful knight" were quite simple, but they were often very hard to perform. They were: to protect the distressed, to speak the truth, to keep his word to all, to be courteous and gentle to women, to defend right against might, and to do or say nothing that should sully the fair name of Christian knighthood. Why is it necessary to have rules such as these, even if they are not always followed? Which rules might be most difficult to follow? Why? What rules of good conduct govern groups of people in modern life?

Library Research Worksheet Name: ________________________________ Topic:

Sources that you consulted (Middle Ages Encyclopedia, Online Databases, etc.):

New information that you learned about your topic (Looking for specific details):

What you are considering making for your project based on your research:

Thursday 12/2 -Focus of class will be on characters from the SATC: Start class with entrance slip that requires students to identify the character they discussed on the wiki and what interested them most about that character -List 3 words that you would use to describe this person -Show some youtube clips about the main characters from the reading, with a few funny clips from Monty Python -What role do these characters play in this story and in Arthurian legends in general?

-Answer any questions that arise from the reading allow classmates to respond to questions first -For class discussion have small groups present what they talked about in their individual groups

Break students up into small groups based on the character they chose to write about in their wiki response and have them report back to the class why that character is important to the reading and Arthurian Legends. -Allow students to move around room when broken up into small groups- out of their seats and into a more informal setting that will hopefully allow them to be more productive.

Lesson Plan 12/6/10 -Make sure students have books and tablets with them entering class

-Will use tablets today to log on to the wikispace and remind ourselves what we wrote over the weekend Need to have some stronger class discussions GREAT discussions on the wiki!

-Write 3 student written questions from the wiki on the board- Have students gather in small groups to talk about the reading and try to find answers to the questions Remember that there can be more than one correct answer to these types of questions- All depends on interpretation...

-Explain to student the complex battle scene in the first few pages answer any remaining questions

-Point out the wording around forests/woods usually associated with wildness a common theme in medieval literature, especially Arthurian stories

-Discuss the knights that come to court for King Arthur Why so many great knights?

-Scene with Merlin and Arthur discussing marriage Does he really love Guinevere?

-What knowledge does Merlin have about the future concerning Guinevere?

-Where does the Round Table come from originally? How many people fit at it?

-Who made the Round Table? What do you think it s powers are?

-Does Guinevere have a say in the marriage? Is she happy? Or just content?

-What happened on Arthur s wedding day?

-What do we think about Gawain so far? How does the red mist affect him in battle?

-Notice the knightly quests that these knights have to go through to complete their quests

Discuss Gawain, Lamorack, and Pellinore s quests from King Arthur Are they all successful? What chivalrous situations do they encounter along the way? Small groups? Write knightly actions up on the board so everyone understands what a good knight does and doesn t do

-Knightly custom to provide a meal and rest for a night for another knight

-Knights/Kings very down on themselves if they fail or act in an un-chivalrous manner Examples?

-Merlin is going to leave King Arthur Why is he leaving? What is his fate? Lady of the Lake

-How does Arthur respond to the accounts of the knights who went on quests? Makes new rules for all at the Round Table to follow.

- Remember the oath you have sworn

to Gawain, but also to remind all of the knights

-Read the oath that the knights took on page 66 how did the quests exemplify the duties of a chivalrous knight?

-Even though there were some un-knightly actions They all learn from the mistakes made

-Why didn t Arthur discipline these knights? Does Merlin approve of Arthur s kindness?