Week 1: Lesson 1

Subject: English Language Arts

Unit: The Canterbury Tales
Grade Level: 12
Standard:
ELA. CCSS. ELA-Literacy. RL. 11-12.6
Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing what is
directly stated from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or
understatement).
Lesson Objectives:
Students will be able to identify the setting and time period of the poem.
Students will be able to define the terms Satire and Estate Satire
Students will analyze a piece of satire and explain how satire produces
humor
Anticipatory Set:
Have students take out their iPad and open the iDo Notepad app (journal) respond
to the following prompt to reflect prior knowledge of the concept of a pilgrimage:
Define the term pilgrimage. In what context have you heard this term used before?
How would a medieval pilgrimage be similar to a modern day American road trip?
After students have responded to the prompt, invite them share their responses
with the class.
Input:
1. Instruct students to take out their iPads and open their Notability app to take
notes on the lecture.

2. Present The Canterbury Tales introduction lecture to students, using the
introduction Powerpoint to highlight background information and major
themes of the Estate Satire. The function of this lecture and presentation is to
offer students background information on Geoffrey Chaucer, medieval
England, narrative structure, and important terminology.



Below are significant details of medieval society, Chaucers life, and the plot of The
Canterbury Tales that should be discussed in the lecture:
Life of Chaucer
- Raised in a middle class family and well educated
- POW during Hundreds Years War
- Becomes royal messenger and minor diplomat of the king
- Travels throughout Europe as a diplomat, which is demonstrated through
his writing style.
- Begins writing The Canterbury Tales during the late 1300s, but never
finishes it.
- Chaucer dies around 1400 and is buried in Poets Corner of Westminster
Abby
- No one knows how Chaucer died
The Canterbury Tales
- Chaucer crafts his characters to be like people he has interacted with in
medieval society
- Its a frame story! This means, stories or a story within an overall story.
Can you think of some?
- Each pilgrim will tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and two tales on
the way back from Canterbury; its a competition!
- The pilgrims begin their journey in a bar
- Many of the tales derived from previous told stories
- Many of the pilgrims are making fun of each other as they tell their tales

Pilgrims
Who are pilgrims?
- Travelers going to the site of a saint.

Why go to Canterbury?
- Religion
- Canterbury was a pilgrimage site for people of all classes
- The shrine of saints were believed to have healing powers and there was
a lot o sickness and despair going around
- During the Middle Ages, the best thing that you had to look forward to
was dying and going to heaven
- The 29 pilgrims on this journey are going to the shrine of Saint Thomas a
Becket, which is located in Canterbury
Three Estates and in Between
- Three Estates of Medieval society were: The Nobility, The Church, and
The Commoners (Middle Class, Trade, Peasantry).

Middle English
- Chaucer wrote in Middle English, the vernacular of the time. These were
tales for the common people.

Literary Terms to Know
- Satire
- Estate Satire
- Irony
- Hyperbole

3. After concluding the introductory lecture, have students watch a short clip of
The Californians, a satirical sketch on Saturday Night Live. After students
have watched the clip, have them respond to the following questions:
1. What subject is being portrayed satirically in this comedy sketch?
2. What elements of Californian society are being exaggerated?
3. How does exaggeration create humor in this satirical clip?
4. What point is being made through the creation of this piece of satire?
5. Why do you find this clip entertaining?
After students have had a chance to answer the questions on their own,
invite them to share their responses with the class.
Homework:
For homework, students will read an expository text, from Secondary
Solutions The Canterbury Tales curriculum guide, on the life of Geoffrey
Chaucer. They will answer the questions that accompany the text.
Supplies and Handouts

Background Powerpoint
Computer
Projector
iPad (each student should have their own)
Identifying elements of satire in The Californians Handout
Secondary Solutions Geoffrey Chaucer Expository Text
A copy of The Canterbury Tales