The Crusades sounds like a glamorous time period in the Middle Ages full of glory—but was it? Scholars find and review the truth of the Crusades' influence on the world through the resource. The study guides, separated individually by...

Avi's Crispin: The Cross of Lead is the focus of a teacher's guide that provides background information on 14th Century England, a plot summary, discussion questions, activities, and resource links. A must-have for those who use this...

How are economics and politics intertwined? Societies in the Medieval period used feudalism for both economic and military reasons. The arrangement provided safety and met other needs. Using the included simulation, individuals...

From feudal societies to European monarchies, a blank pyramid template can support your learners in understanding social hierarchies and distinctions between classes. 

What were the benefits and drawbacks of being a serf/knight/lord/lady/king/queen/etc. in the Middle Ages? Consider all the comparisons with your young historians using this graphic organizer.

A lot went on in Medieval Castles, and they were an obvious symbol of feudal power. Have learners use clay to make a Medieval-style castle to show what they know about Europe during the Dark Ages. This resource provides basic background...

When explorers set out to discover the world, they opened the world economy through global trade. Read, then use this expository writing instructional activity to answer three critical thinking questions. Each question relates to the...

Consider the factors and outcomes of societal changes that occurred during the Japanese Feudal period. Critical thinkers use what they know to answer three short essay questions. This helpful worksheet is a great tool for building...

Did your class finish reading about Feudal Japan and the Tokugawa Shogunate period? Reinforce their understanding with three essay questions focused on comprehension and critical thinking.

One of the most intriguing eras in world history was the shift to Feudalism in Japan. Examine the causes and effects of Japan's religion, culture, borrowing from China, and rise to Feudalism. Facts are given about the Shogunate, Samauri,...

An excellent overview of historical Japanese culture, this presentation could carry through a world history unit or a lesson on the history of Japan. Especially interesting are the slides that compare Japanese armor and castles to other...

Providing key information, visually appealing pictures, and thought-provoking questions, this series of slides presents your class with a study of 18th century Europe as it becomes increasingly urbanized. From peasants to princes, the...

A thorough and engaging look at the Medieval time period in Europe, this presentation includes photographs of guild crests, illuminated manuscripts, and historical documents. When coupled with a class discussion on Charlemagne and the...

Here is a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited in its ability to entice learners, this learning exercise on the Rise of European Nation-States has learners responding to 3 clear and simple prompts, each of which could lead...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Early Japan assignment has learners responding to 3 simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into deeper...

A major turning point in world history is the focus of this presentation. Rome has fallen, and with its descent comes the Dark Ages. With pictures, maps, and important information about the Middle Ages, this slideshow would be a great...

Students determine what the roles of serfs and lords were in feudal society. For this feudalism lesson, students examine what life was like for the different classes by looking at farm and manor life. They listen to Till Year's Good End,...

Students explore feudalism. In this government lesson, students examine the role of knights and kings. Students discover the training boys went through for knighthood. Students write a letter home as if they were a squire during the...

Students simulate the social rank of feudal Europe. In this medieval world history lesson, students use M&M's to represent the social ranking and power in feudal Europe. Included in this lesson is background information and a...

Learners play a role-playing game using candy to identify the order of a feudalistic society. In this world history instructional activity, students identify the order of societal rank and loyalties within feudal Europe.

Students create a first person account of life in the middle ages from the perspective of a king, noble, knight or peasant. They view and discuss a Discovery Channel video then research the roles and responsibilities of their class...

Eighth graders study European society during the medieval period. They investigate the feudal social structure and how it influenced daily life. They study Japanese society during the medieval period. They compare and contrast the...

Students identify that a system of feudalism similar to that of medieval Europe developed in Japan by 1300. Students identify the social hierarchy of feudal Japan. Students identify what the cultural basis for the relationships among...

Students engage in a host of activities during an examination of early Medieval Europe. They draw coats of arms, make collages of architectural designs, and create posters of knights, serfs, and castles. Students role-play as sons of...