Medieval Pleasure

4/23/07

Rosie Case

I. Topic

Content Area: Medieval Art History

Content Statement: The Medieval period wasn’t all about religion, tradition, and purity. So often the stereotypical image of the medieval person was that they did nothing but sit around and read the bible, illuminate manuscripts and play the harp all day. To break student stereotypes of the medieval ages we will first bring up our misconceptions. To prove many of them incorrect, we will investigate past times in the medieval ages. In many ways we could compare the medieval people to the way we live today. They wanted to have fun just as much as us; they just had different methods of doing so.

II. Objectives/Expected Learner Outcomes

Students will understand the historical and traditional importance of everyday pleasures within medieval context.

Students will share and connect by bringing their own pre-conceived notions and personal experiences with medieval past times to discussion.

Students will compare and connect medieval pleasure and celebrations to current and contemporary cultures/traditions.

III. Standards of Education

Perform: ART.1.VA.HS.1

ART.1.VA.HS.3

ART.1.VA.HS.4

Create: ART.2.VA.HS.3

ART.2.VA.HS.4

ART.2.VA.HS.5

Analyze: ART.3.VA.HS.1

IV. Student Group Targeted

Grade Level: 12th grade

Group: average

Prerequisite skills/knowledge: general medieval symbolism background and understanding. Previously have covered several other topics pertaining to and discussing medieval symbolism.

V. Time Required:

4 class periods

70 minutes each

VI. Materials and Resources

Images from Medieval Art by Sekules

Research Handouts

Stereotypical medieval video clips

VII. Itinerary and Strategies

Day 1: Misconceptions and Stereotypes of Medieval Age

Key Terms:

-Past times

-Beauty (medieval opinions on the subject)

Motivation and Explanations:

Play a clip from the movie A Knights’ Tale. After watching the short clip pose these questions, “Is this what medieval life was like? Was it all about jousting or were there other things?”

Questioning Strategies/Discussion:

Some questions to ask to lead the discussion…

Begin discussion by asking the class what they think of when they think of the medieval ages? Brainstorm the list on the chalkboard. Then ask what they think that the medieval people did for fun? Was it anything like the things we do for fun today? How was it different?

After discussion, lead into the assignment, which will be to allow the students access to the internet for initial research about the topic of medieval past times/hobbies/interests.

Answer the following questions?

-Have you found any evidence that medieval people liked to do similar types of things that you do?

-If yes, what were those things?

-How were they similar to things we do today? How are they different?

-From your general research do you think anything you found was false information or stereotypical?

Demonstration/Guided Practice:

Review internet research guidelines and helpful hints about search engines

Checking For Understanding:

Walk around the room as students are beginning the research procedure and make sure that everyone understands what is expected and how to begin. Answer questions.

Time Flow:

20 minutes allowed for introduction, discussion, and demonstration

40 minutes allowed for internet activity

10 minutes for wrap up discussion

Closure:

Review key terms and the key ideas learned through the lesson.

Day 2: Introduction to past times & events done for entertainment

Review findings from last class and present accurate interpretation of medieval historical past times. Also review that although, as we have previously learned, medieval people did devote a large amount of time to religion, that’s not all they were concerned with. They did things for fun too, just as we do now. Lecture on how these past times can be seen even through art forms and images. Then show now and then poster/handout to compare how things have changed yet are still very similar.