You are hereby invited on a medieval quest! Over the next few weeks, you will be journeying back in time to explore the days of knights, castles and glorious feasts. A central part of your journey will be researching and developing a medieval character complete with a costume (or a sketch of one), props, backdrops, music and possibly sound effects! On the last day of our study, we will have a medieval festival and feast with you acting the part of your medieval character. During the festival you will give a presentation to the king/queen (your teacher) and, if all goes well, you may be knighted sir or dame! Presentations should be under five minutes in length, and you may work individually or in small groups.

The king/queen has the final say, but here is a list of some of the roles and projects you could perform. Start thinking about who you want to play! 

1. A Trade-related Presentation — For example, a stonemason, cobbler, blacksmith, cook, miller, spinster, shipbuilder, barber-surgeon, midwife, falconer, peddler, merchant, map maker, weaver, goldsmith or scribe. You could talk about your craft, show an example of your work and even offer your services to the king/queen. You could also tell a story to the king/queen about your life. 
2. An Artist’s Performance — Pantomimes, plays, puppet theatre and storytelling were important sources of entertainment. You can write and perform a dramatization with a medieval theme. 
Laughter is timeless. Court jesters and fools were the comedians of the Middle Ages. You could research and develop a comedy routine reflecting the life and times of the medieval era. Performances could include juggling, acrobatics, magic and jokes.
Music plays an important role in any festival. You could compose a variation or create an original song to perform. As a troubadour, you could use voice, recorders, drums or other appropriate instruments. 
Dance accentuates the joy and playfulness of a festival. Maypole dances were common at this time. You could create your own choreography and perform a dance.
3. A War-related Presentation — For example, a page, squire, foot soldier, archer, Crusader or war-machine engineer. In medieval times, weaponry and fighting were part of survival. Research and report on the art of fighting (armor, pageantry and weapons) with the possible reenactment of a jousting tournament or a castle siege.
4. A Peasant Farmer’s Presentation — You could describe your life and make a case for changing the feudal system, or tell a story about your life.
5. A Nobleman or Noblewoman’s Presentation — You could describe what it is like going on a hunt, how you govern your property or talk about your elaborate costuming. You could also tell a story about your life. 
6. A Holy Person’s Presentation — For example, a bishop, nun, friar or monk. People of the Church were typically near the top of the social system and some were very powerful. You could tell a story about devoting your life to helping the poor or show examples of the manuscripts you have illuminated.

Name of Student ___________________Name of Character ____________________

Scale:
1 - Unsatisfactory
2 - Below expectations
3 - Meets expectations
4 - Exceeds expectations
5 – Clearly outstanding

Character Development           1 2 3 4 5 
  Is your character believable?
  Is your character appropriate to medieval times? 
Evidence of Research            1 2 3 4 5
  Have you studied and thought about your character?
Creativity               1 2 3 4 5
  Does your presentation reflect original or inventive thinking?
Movements              1 2 3 4 5
  Are your movements consistent with your character?
Voice                1 2 3 4 5
  Is your voice consistent with your character?
  Did you project your voice well?
Props, Sound Effects and Music         1 2 3 4 5
  Have you appropriately used props, sound effects or music?
Costume               1 2 3 4 5
  Is your costume or costume rendering appropriate for your character?
Appropriate Use of Time          1 2 3 4 5
 Is your presentation under five minutes in length?

Name of Student ______________________________
Scale:
1 - Unsatisfactory
2 - Below expectations
3 - Meets expectations
4 - Exceeds expectations
5 – Clearly outstanding

Content              1 2 3 4 5
  Are the assignments complete? 
  Is all the information relevant and accurate?

Evidence of Research           1 2 3 4 5
  Is there evidence you have you thought about and studied your character?

Creativity              1 2 3 4 5
  Does your book reflect original or inventive thinking?
 
Spelling & Punctuation           1 2 3 4 5
  Are words spelled correctly? 
  Are capital letters and ending punctuation used appropriately?

Sentence Structure           1 2 3 4 5
  Are ideas presented in complete sentences?

Followed Directions           1 2 3 4 5
  Did you follow the specific directions for the assignments?

General Appearance           1 2 3 4 5
  Is your book neat and interesting?

You are hereby invited on a magical medieval quest with your son or daughter! Over 
the next few weeks, we will be journeying back in time to explore the days of knights, castles 
and glorious feasts. A central part of our journey will be researching and developing a 
medieval character, complete with a costume (or a sketch of one), props, backdrop, music 
and possibly sound effects! On the last day of our study, we will have a medieval festival 
and feast, with your son or daughter acting the part of a medieval character.

Can you help prepare our feast or come on festival day? Or can you help with any of 
the items that we will be collecting to prepare for our feast?

Gear: plastic gloves, plastic wrap, wax paper, trays for storing food, food grate, mixing bowls, 
cookie cutters, decorative toothpicks, pumpkin-carving kits, rolling pins, pitchers, paper plates and cups

Food: frozen bread dough, shortening, ‘wigglers’ gelatin, whole carrots, celery stalks, sliced bread, sandwich spread, a variety of garnishes for sandwiches (e.g., thin slices of tomato or olives, mustard, cheese, herbs), regular or pickling cucumbers, small dark beans, gum drops, unfrosted cup cakes, a variety of colored frostings and cake toppings, honey, nutmeg, orange or lemon. 

We look forward to seeing you and hope that as many members of your family as possible 
will participate. Come one, come all — back to the age of feast and festival!

Feast Preparation occurs on __________________________.

Festival and Feast Day is on __________________________.

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Here’s what I can do to help with the medieval festival and feast.

My name is: ______________________________

I can help with:
 

When? (time)
 

What problem? (conflicts)
 

Who? (character traits)
 

Where? (place)
 

Why? (story themes)
 

How resolved?