View a FREE sample

Lesson 1 (from Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2)

Objective

In Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, the authors have used a fictionalized but historically accurate snapshot of the city of Troyes in 1250 to show what life was like in the High Middle Ages. How effective is this "day in the life" approach?

Lesson

1) The Snapshot Approach: Discuss how the authors have chosen to show life in the High Middle Ages. How is this different than a more conventional story of history? What does it accomplish that a more traditional history book could not?

2) Debate: Divide the class into groups. Have half of the groups come up with the advantages of teaching history using the "snapshot" approach, and the other half come up with the disadvantages. Then, have either side present their case, with points and counterpoints.

3) Partner Discussion: Break into partners, and have partner teams discuss how they could apply the "snapshot" approach to their very own lives...

(read more Daily Lessons)

This section contains 5,701 words (approx. 20 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample