Title of lesson: The Middle Ages - The Growth of European

Kingdoms

Your Name: Joshua Guastella

Length of lesson: 55 mins

Context of Lesson: The lesson before, students learned about how

feudalism developed in Europe. Now students will learn how the nobility
challenged the king when he stepped over his boundaries and abused his
power. They did this with the creation of the Magna Carta. Students will
then understand the influence the Magna Carta has had on the U.S.
Constitution and individual rights and freedoms.

Overview: Students will learn how the nobility challenged the king when
he stepped over his boundaries and abused his power. They did this with
the creation of the Magna Carta. Students will then understand the
influence the Magna Carta has had on the U.S. Constitution and individual
rights and freedoms.

Central problem/ Essential question: How did events in Europe

contribute to the decline of feudalism and the rise of democratic thought?

Objectives:

Students will know/be able to:

Be able to describe the Magna Carta and its lasting influence on

individual rights and the concept of freedom.

Anticipated student conceptions or challenges to understanding:

Students might have a difficult time imagining the impact that the Magna
Carta has had on our society and individual rights and freedoms.

Materials/Evidence/Sources:

PowerPoint

Magna Carta Create Your Own Laws Activity

Instructional Sequence:

1. To begin the lesson, go to the first slide of the PowerPoint and

ask students the question about an amendment to the U.S.
Constitution that deals with individual rights. Share out responses.
(5 mins)
 2. Tie into the Magna Carta and proceed with the rest of the
PowerPoint, explaining the origins of the Magna Carta and individual
rights and freedoms. (10 mins)

3. Have students fill out the front of the Magna Carta Create your
Own Laws Worksheet. Share responses. (5 mins)

4. Go back to the PowerPoint and go through with students 4

different individual rights and ask if these are
always/sometimes/never true. Share out responses. (5 mins)

5. Explain the directions for the class debate about individual rights.
Go through scenario 1 and split class into two groups, one for each
side of the scenario. Have students write down answers then share
and debate afterwards. (10 mins)

6. Repeat the same steps but with scenario 2. (10 mins)

7. Have students get into groups of 4 and complete the back of the
worksheet, creating their own set of rights they should have at
school. Have students share out responses after. (8 mins)

8. Select one popsicle stick and have the student and their row
explain something that they learned in class today making sure
they don't repeat another students answer. (2 mins)

Assessment: Assessment will occur during the structured class debate

and how the students answer and debate their side of the scenario.

Attach all handouts, texts, images, lecture notes, etc.

PowerPoint

Magna Carta Create Your Own Laws Activity