Do Unit Studies

Next, it’s important to understand that a way of life doesn’t just stop and another one begins at an exact date.

So many periods of history, customs, way of life, and events overlap. This period of Medieval we’ll cover is approximately 500 to 1400–1500 ce.

BOOKS ABOUT THE MIDDLE AGES HISTORY FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books.

Using a living book as your spine or main text is a fun way to bring this time to life.

Also, understand why the Middle Ages are also called Medieval Times.

Merriam-Websters defines Middle Ages like this: With its roots medi-, meaning “middle”, and ev-, meaning “age”, medieval literally means “of the Middle Ages”. In this case, middle means “between the Roman empire and the Renaissance”—that is, after the fall of the great Roman state and before the “rebirth” of culture that we call the Renaissance.

In summary, I explained to my sons it’s the time between Ancient Rome and The Renaissance.

However, if you have older children, the Middle Ages can be broken down further into the Early Middle Ages (c. 400 to 900), the High Middle Ages (c. 900 to the mid-1200s) and the Late Middle Ages (c. mid1200s to 1500).

Each of these time periods have significant events, people and places which emerged. This helps to narrow your study if you want to dive deeper.

Because this is only 4 weeks, I’m teaching a general overview of the Medieval Times.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

The Roman Empire had provided stability for centuries in the region. It had spread its culture, the Latin language, and Christianity across the continent.

But the Roman grew weak and worse it had been invaded.

So, it was a time when kings and feudal lords ruled the land and when castles appeared.

Castles were both a residence for the noble and a defensive structure.

However, the majority of people were poor people or peasants.

They learned a trade and survived off the land living in thatched huts and farming on land they did not own.

The lands were normally owned by a feudal lord.

And it’s important to help your child understand what we mean when we say Middle Ages Europe. All the countries did not have the same name as they do today but we’ll use the modern day names so our kids will understand the geography.

During the early Middle Ages, Europe included the islands of Britain and Ireland.

Also, much of the land that we now call Italy, Germany, and France was included. It also included the Vikings and the Scandinavian countries. The countries are we now called Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

MIDDLE AGES HISTORY VOCABULARY WORDS

Too, look at a list of words to define.

• noble – A person of high social rank, often owning large amounts of land and having titles like lord or lady.
• feudal society – a social system in which land is owned by a small ruling class and is worked by peasants in exchange for protection and other services.
• vassal– A person who receives land from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.
• papacy – the office or the position of the pope
• fief – A piece of land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service
• manor – a Iarge estate, often including farms and a village, ruled by a lord
• knight – a man who received honor and land in exchange for serving a lord as a soldier

NATURE & SCIENCE MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Next, in the Middle Ages people decorated their heads with flowers and leaves. Make a crown of flowers with any long stem flowers. Daisies are a good choice.

Medieval Chemistry had early beginnings although we don’t always think about the medieval period as that time.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

During this period, it was hard for people to separate myth from reality.

But that is why the book King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is fun to read to get a taste of the time.

Also, we don’t have as many primary sources which is why this is called the dark period.

But be sure to pore over what we do have from that time which are the famous stories like “Beowulf” and “The Canterbury Tales”.

Too, here are some history makers and events during this period.

Research one or two that interests your child.

FAMOUS PEOPLE AND EVENTS

ARTS & CRAFTS MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Also, look at this list of craftsmen and trades during the Middle Ages.

Also, look at a few more Middle Ages resources.

MORE MIDDLE AGES RESOURCES

• Medieval History for Homeschool Middle School
• Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History – Fun Hands-On Activity
• 12 Gifts For Medieval History Buffs
• Medieval Homeschool History – 4 Surefire Ways to Beat a Boring Study

Of course, as I mentioned this is a huge quick overview and just touches the fringe of this expansive time.

There are more colorful characters and events to explore.

What are you studying about and doing hands-on?