Project for the Middle Ages and the Renaissance

TAG Project for

Explorers to Revolution

Below is a list of possible projects about Europe before the Industrial Revolution. In addition to the Renaissance portrait, you must choose one of these projects to complete. Both the Renaissance portrait and the project will be displayed on half of the front side of a poster board.

Projects are to include pictures, color, and must be typed.

1. Vikings. Who were they? Where did they come from? What areas did they rule? During what years were they dominant? Tell about their lifestyle, weapons, and boats.

2. Crusades. What were they? How many were there? Who took part in the Crusades, and where did they come from? Where were the Crusades fought? Why did they end?

3. Knights. Who could be a knight? Describe their training. What armor and weapons did they use?

4. Castles. Tell about the different types. What were the different parts of a castle? Describe life in a castle, both during times of peace and during a siege. When did castles become less useful?

5. Weapons to attack a castle. Describe the different weapons used to attack a castle, including the catapult, trebuchet, crossbow, battering ram, ballista, siege tower, mining, gunpowder, and cannon. Have a picture or drawing of each.

6. Hundred Years War (1337-1453). What countries fought this war? Why was it fought? Who won? Who was Joan of Arc, and how did she have a part in this war?

7. Monks and nuns. Who are they? Describe their training and daily lifestyle. What are monasteries and nunneries? What are the different activities that occur in these places?

8. Cathedrals. What are they? What is their purpose? Describe the different steps in constructing a cathedral. What are the different parts of a cathedral? What is the difference between a Gothic and Romanesque cathedral?

9. Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Who were they? Why are they famous? Give some details about the life of each man. Give examples of some of their most famous works.

10. The Leaning Tower of Pisa. What and where is it? When was it built? Who built it? Why does it lean? What efforts have been taken to straighten the tower?

11. Byzantine Empire. What and where was it? During what years did the empire exist? How did the empire begin? Give some characteristics of the empire. What caused the empire to end?

12. Marco Polo. Who was he and when did he live? Where is he from? Why is he famous? Describe his travels.

13. Plagues. What are they? How do they spread? Why are they harmful? Describe in detail the Black Death of 1348. Do plagues still exist today? Are there treatments today? Give examples.

14. Famous English kings and queens: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, and Charles I. When did each rule? Why is each famous? Present details about the life of each. If any are related, tell us how.

15. Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, and Ferdinand Magellan. When did each live? Where was each of these men born and who did they sail for? Describe the journey of each of these men. Why was each famous?

16. Caravel. Describe this ship. Why were they important to the early explorers? How was a caravel different from earlier ships such as a trireme or other oared ship?

17. Printing press. Who invented the printing press? Tell about the inventor. When was it invented? Why was its invention so important to Europe? Describe how a printing press functions.

18. King Arthur. Who was he (according to legend)? Was he real? If not, who was his character probably based on? Share some of the legends associated with King Arthur.

19. William Shakespeare. Who was he? When and where did he live? Why was he famous? Share the plots of at least three of his plays.

20. French Revolution. What, when, and where was it? Who were King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and how were both part of the Revolution? How did France change as a result of the Revolution?

21. Napoleon Bonaparte. Who was he? When and where did he live? Why was he famous? Describe some of his more famous battles.

22. The Reformation, Martin Luther, and John Calvin. What and when was the Reformation? Why did it begin? Who were the two men and why was each famous? Describe the result of the Reformation.

23. Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton, and Copernicus. When and were did these men live? Why was each famous? Describe the scientific discoveries of each.

24. Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. When and where did these men live? Why was each famous? Describe the musical accomplishments of each. Share an example of the music of each with the class.

25. Don Quixote. Describe the characters and plot of this book. Who is the author? When and where did the author live? Provide details about the author’s life.

Rubric for Explorers and Revolution Project (TAG)

______(10 pts) The front of poster board is divided into two equal halves

Portrait:

______(15 pts) Contains original painting and carefully completed hand-drawn copy.

______(10 pts) Use of color

______(15 pts) Student explains why portrait was chosen and background information including original painter and life of the subject.

______(5 pts) Everything is typed, NOT handwritten

Topic:

______(5 pts) The project is typed.

______(10 pts) Each topic has at least 3 pictures.

______(10 pts) Appearance and creativity: use of color, neat, well organized.

______(20 pts) Questions were answered accurately, thoroughly and thoughtfully.

Name______Per______Grade______

On Level Project for

Explorers to Revolution

Below is a list of possible projects about Europe before the Industrial Revolution. You are to choose TWO of the projects to research and display. Each project will be displayed on half of the front side of a poster board. Each project must be typed, have pictures and color.