Social Studies: Medieval Manners Lesson

Date: 19. October. 2000

Grade Level: 5

Teacher Materials Needed:

v What You Never Knew About Fingers, Forks, and Chopsticks, by Patricia Lauber

v Graphic organizer transparency—Venn Diagram

v Cooked rice, sticky, and flavoring options (i.e., honey, cinnamon and sugar, soy sauce)

v Utensils—plastic knives and spoons

v Paper bowls

v Paper tablecloths

Student Materials Needed:

v Graphic organizer worksheet—Venn Diagram

My Social Studies Goals for This Lesson:

The students will be able to compare and contrast the manners and customs of chivalry (from the Medieval period) to present-day manners and customs of the United States through use of the Venn diagram.

Related NC Standard Course of Study Goals/Objectives:

This lesson requires the students to identify differences that have occurred in the way of life in the United States in comparison to the medieval way of life (Competency Goal 11.1). Students will discuss the heritage of the United States through contrast and comparison (Competency Goal 12.1). Students will create a Venn diagram or other graphic organizer to compare similarities and differences (Skill 1).

Launch:

Read What You Never Knew About Fingers, Forks, and Chopstick to the class. They should make note of the evolution of manners since the beginning of history.

Exploration:

Bring the focus of the discussion to the information presented in the book about manners ”In the Middle Ages”. Students will explore the table etiquette of the Middle Ages by eating rice in the ways described for this time period in the book.

Summarize:

After cleaning up, students will construct a Venn diagram (see attached example) comparing the manners of today with the manners they have just explored from medieval times. This activity can be completed in small groups, or individually.

Assessment/Evidence of Learning:

Using the information in their charts, students should write a short story of a child from the present that has traveled back to the medieval times for dinner. The students should select, or the teacher can assign, one adjustment in table etiquette the child has to make in order to fit in at the meal. These can be compiled into a classroom book to be referred to for future lessons.