Medieval Feast 2015

Middle Ages Feast

Each year in Humanities, seventh grade ends with a unit on the Middle Ages. This is where they see all of our history units combine into one time period. Students must examine and analyze the drastic changes of the time, the adaptations of the people, and the effects brought on by those adaptations and changes. They explore the Fall of Western Rome, Viking raids, The Crusades, feudalism, castle architecture, and the Black Death, debating the pros and cons of each of these large events. What they soon come to find is that although knowledge may grow and advance in societies, human nature remains relatively the same across the spans of time.

To end the unit, students celebrate with a medieval feast. They take on the role of a feudal character, entertain their king and queen, enjoy a feast of medieval delicacies (utensils not allowed), compete in jousting competitions, and go to war for the glory of their kingdom (tug-o-war that is). Overall, it is a very entertaining way to end our unit and school year in Humanities!

Medieval Debates

The Dark Ages... or were they? 

Our debates on the Middle Ages were on the following: 

1. The time after the Fall of Rome is best classified as the Dark Ages. 

Winners: Marie and Florence & Ryan and Kyungchan 

2. The Crusades were a blessing in disguise. 

Winners: Roza and Gauri & Teng and Suhruth 

3. Plague was a benefit for society. 

Winners: Fanni and Tammie & Dominic and Jia Hao 

4. Religion was a hindrance on medieval society. 

Winners: Viki and Helena & Nadav and Keegan 

Till death do us part....

Bubonic Plague hit grade seven yesterday, but have no worries. The doctor came to the rescue. Whether it be shaved chicken butts, breathing in the bad sewage, or swallowing arsenic... the doctor had it covered. And when all else failed, there were plenty of naughty children to blame as scapegoats. Regardless of the reasons for the plague, you will be happy to know that Mr. Fubler made a full recovery and was back to his normal self today.

THE "DARK AGES".... OR WERE THEY?

Today was the jump start to our final Humanities unit on the Middle Ages. Students participated in a simulation designed to act out our unit question, "In times of drastic change, how do people adapt?" They reacted very similar to those of Medieval Europe out of pure human nature. Please note, simulation was controlled chaos. Although many were killed, robbed, or sold into slavery, chaos was controlled by the queen and king to avoid real injury. 

476 A.D. Rome has fallen 

People must rely on the literate (directions were put in different languages)

They realize the need for organization and shelter. They start to build. 

But soon, they run out of supplies. Looting, killing, destruction, the quarrying of materials ... this is the new reality. 

Just when life has settled, they are attacked by barbaric tribes. 

They must build stronger fortified shelters and work together as a larger kingdom in order to survive. 

But NO ONE is safe from death. Plague sneaks upon the kingdom. 

They hide from death. They blame others. They turn to religion. 

There is no escape. 

WELCOME TO THE DARK AGES!