Exploring the Middle Ages Class Summary 9/15/14

with Kim Rodgers

Welcome to Exploring the Middle Ages!

It was such a joy to experience our first class together! Welcome back to those of you who were in class last semester and a special welcome to our new classmates! Today we discussed how our class is generally going to run--beginning with the students engaging in hands-on activities to help them listen to readings about the time in history we are studying that day. I’m a firm believer that most kids listen better when their hands are busy. They chose to mold beeswax, weave on our loom, or color, while listening to the story of the Fall of Rome, the first chapter in the Story of the World. We looked at a map in an historical atlas to see how large the Roman Empire was at the time and talked about whether the size of the empire was a sign of strength or weakness. It was interesting to hear their thoughts. Having a large empire probably meant that they had resources that other areas around them didn’t have, which helped them have powerful armies. At the same time, it was difficult to manage the borders of the empire as barbarians kept invading from all areas, which was a sign of weakness. In the end this proved to be their downfall. A very thoughtful bunch!

Notebooking

Students took home a notebooking page that I would like them to use to record anything that stood out to them from what we learned this week. Parents can write for their child if needed. I’m planning on doing this each week so that by the end of the semester they can look back at everything they learned in a sort of record book. I also sent home a map of the area and mapping directions. For those who would like to do this and add it to their record books, please do. If your child is interested in pursuing a subject that we talk about in class and does something at home that they can write about or take a photo of, they can add it to their books as well. I’m hoping this record book can be something that we partner with between home and Mosaic to make it a rich resource of their experiences with the Middle Ages.

Roman Signums

Afterwards the students began working on Roman signums to remind us about the power that was Rome. Signums were held by the standard bearer during battle. Soldiers rallied around the signum when gathering as a unit. Some students took home pieces of their signum in order to finish them at home. Please have them bring them back next week so we can take a group photo.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me. We have a great group of creative and excited learners. I look f!orward to our time together!

Next week we will be studying the Early Days of Britain, which includes the Celts. We will be making a Celtic Double-Headed War Axe (wow...that sounds terrible) and posing for a photo looking like fierce barbarians. I was hoping to bring in some blue face paint and hair mousse for those that really want to get into it. Realizing that some kids don’t like the feel of those items anywhere near their body, only those who are interested in that aspect can participate. If you know your child would like to participate, but you have plans after Mosaic that don’t include having blue face paint or spikes in their hair, please let me know and I’ll make sure your child refrains!

Please Bring Next Week

Also, for next week please bring in:

• Your finished signum if you took it home to work on 
• Your completed notebooking page
• Your completed mapping page, if you chose to complete it
• Another wrapping paper tube (I promise this will be the last one!)

See you next week,

Kim