A WebQuest for 5th and 6th Grade Literacy Students

Designed by

Mary Blakeman
Stephanie Zimmerman
Joanne Birdsall
 

 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Your science class invented a time machine, but your social studies teacher has hijacked it and sent your entire class back to the middle ages! The only way you can all survive until you figure out how to return to your rightful era is to learn about the society you have been sent to. Otherwise, you may be imprisoned in the dungeon.

Luckily, there is a computer on board the time machine. You will have access to the internet to do research.

1. You have been appointed as the court minstrel. The king has commanded you to create lyrics for a new song. Using appropriate word choice for medieval times, write a song with a minimum length of 5 stanzas and include a chorus. Look at the two ballads and Greensleves to get an idea of what a medieval ages song was like. Six Traits +1 Sample Ballad #1 Sample Ballad #2 Lyrics to Greensleves Encyclopedia Brittanica

2. As the castle's master musician, design 3 instruments which can be played at a medieval festival. List the materials you will use and write an explanation of how each is to be played. Submit the drawn plans for the king's approval. Visit the Medieval Instruments website for ideas.     Medieval and Renaissance Instruments Encyclopedia Brittanica

3. You are the chef in the Lord's kitchens. Create a menu for a restaurant frequented by members of the nobility. Include 5 authentic entrees for each meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. (No peasant food allowed!) Category titles must be written in calligraphy. Use the calligraphy link or teacher provided materials to learn how to write in calligraphy. Click here to see a sample menu.

4. Visit Lord Sherwood's rooms at the Kidâs' Castle website. Design a clothing catalog for the well dressed knight and lady. Include one outfit for both the knight and the lady for each of the following occasions: normal day wear, evening wear, and sleepwear. Include a headress for the lady and a battle outfit for the knight.
 

5. Create a diorama of the great hall during a banquet. Then visit the Dungeon at the Kid's Castle website, complete the interactive instant story and submit it to the website. It must be 75 words or more.  (Teacher approval is necessary before submitting your story-or it is off with your head!) Six Traits +1 Encyclopedia Brittanica

6. Visit Lucy's Tower at the Kid's Castle website. Write a week's worth of diary entries for a medieval child, adult, squire, knight, or lady, etc. Write your diary entries on parchment paper. After teacher approval, submit your favorite entry to the website. Medieval People Women of the Middle Ages Commoners The Peasant's Realm The Knight's Realm Six Traits +1 Encyclopedia Brittanica

7. As Master or Mistress of Ceremonies at the castle, explain the top 10 manners from the Code of Chivalry. Write the information, and include a pyramid of the feudal system with serfs, farmers, knights, liege lords, nobles, and monarchs.
 

8. Visit Lord Sherwoodâs room at the Kid's Castle website. Create a coat of arms for yourself and write an explanation of the symbols. After teacher approval, submit your design to the Kidâs Castle website.

9. Visit the Gatehouse at the Kid's Castle website. Read Parts 1 and 2 of "The Magic Ball". Create your own ending to the story BEFORE reading Hollie's and Theo's endings. The length must be 75 words or more.  After teacher approval, submit your ending to the Kid's Castle website.

A. Build an authentic model of a castle.  (worth 100pts.)

B. Prepare and serve a medieval dessert banquet for the class in the great hall at CIS.  (worth 100 pts.)

C. Visit the Royal apartments at the Kid's Castle and complete the word search.  (worth 25 pts. Teacher must see completed word search to earn extra credit)

D. Visit the Chapel at the Kid's Castle website. Use this link or teacher provided materials to learn how to write in calligraphy. Create a program, listing the events for a 3 day tournament. Include 3 ads for appropriate medieval goods and services. (worth 75 pts.)
 
 

* You will work with a partner or in a group of three students. 

* Explore the Kid's Castle website. Be sure to visit all the rooms you find.

* From the list of Tasks, select an activity you would like to research ad complete. 

* Develop three questions you need to answer in order to focus your research. Use the Questions to Research worksheet to help you. 

* After you have formulated your questions, your group may begin researching the answers. Use the links provided to find your information. An encyclopedia on CD may also be used.

* As you do your research, be sure to keep track of the websites you use. You will need to include a bibliography with your final project.

* Once you have completed your research, your group will need to plan your project. Write the steps you will follow and who will be responsible for which part of the project. Share this plan with your teacher for approval.

* Once your plan is approved, you may begin your project.

* When your group has completed your project, you will share it with the class. Be prepared to answer questions from the audience.
 
 

PROJECT	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	POINTS
AUTHENTICITY	Project demonstrates a basic understanding of what life was like during the medieval ages.	Project demonstrates a deeper understandng of what life was like during the medieval ages.	Project demonstrates an advanced understanding of what life was like during the medieval ages.
CREATIVITY	Project demonstrates some planning was used. The idea used is ordinary.	Project demonstrates planning was involved.  The idea used is unique.	Project demonstrates a high level of creativity.  Shows that planning was involved and demonstrates an advanced knowledge of the medieval ages.
NEATNESS	Project is complete but  is sloppy and shows little or no sign of effort.	Project is complete and has a neat appearance.	Project is complete and has a neat appearance. Also  demonstrates that extra time was  spent on completing the project.
			TOTAL POINTS

 
 

PROCESS / WORK HABITS	Not observed 0	Fair 1	Good 2	Very Good 3	Excellent 4
COMPLETED ALL WORK ON TIME	0	1	2	3	4
WORKED COOPERATIVELY IN GROUPS	0	1	2	3	4
STAYED ON TASK	0	1	2	3	4
USED COMPUTER AS A RESOURCE	0	1	2	3	4
DOCUMENTED WEBSITES USED	0	1	2	3	4
PRESENTATION TO CLASS	0	1	2	3	4
ORGANIZED INFORMATION	0	1	2	3	4
TOTAL POINTS

Congratulations! Your class has successfully blended into Medieval society. You have avoided the dungeon! 

While you were working on your projects, your class science genius was able to sneak off and was busy reprogramming the time machine. You and your class will be returning to your own time, safe and unharmed.

The following websites may be used as you work through this project:
 

Graphics for this webquest are from: