ALEX | Alabama Learning Exchange

"Pocket full of Posies"

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This lesson provided by:

Author:	Joy Ashley
System:	Montgomery County
School:	Montgomery County Board Of Education

General Lesson Information

Lesson Plan ID:	33932
Title:	"Pocket full of Posies"
Overview/Annotation:	The Black Death affected every member of society in the Middle Ages. In this lesson, students will watch a video about The Black Death and read an excerpt from Sarah Himes' diary to be able to understand how The Black Death brought about political and economic changes in the late Middle Ages. Students will discover the true meaning behind the children's song "Ring Around the Rosy". Finally, students will collaborate with a partner to compose their own song about the impact the Black Death had on either the family, the church, or the economy during the Middle Ages.

Associated Standards and Objectives

Content Standard(s):

Social Studies
SS2010 (2010)
Grade: 8
World History to 1500

17 ) Explain how events and conditions fostered political and economic changes in the late Middle Ages and led to the origins of the Renaissance.

Examples: the Crusades, Hundred Years' War, Black Death, rise of the middle class, commercial prosperity

• Identifying changes in the arts, architecture, literature, and science in the late Middle Ages (1300-1400 A.D.)

Unpacked Content

Strand: Economics, History, Civics and Government

Course Title: World History to 1500

Evidence Of Student Attainment:

Students:

Analyze events and conditions of the late Middle Ages and explain how these led to the origins of the Renaissance.

Teacher Vocabulary:

foster
origins
Renaissance
Middle Ages
Gothic
pandemic
Inquisition
vernacular
heresy
plague
King Edward III
Battle of Crécy
Joan of Arc
War of the Roses

Knowledge:

Students know:

How the new prosperity of the late Middle Ages enabled the expansion of religious wealth and influence.
The effects of the Crusades on Europe.
The social and economic impact of the Black Death.
The cause and effect of the Hundred Years' War.
Identify changes in the arts, architecture, literature, and science in the late Middle Ages.
Changes in intellectual thought and economic prosperity that lead to an increase in education among most social groups.
Economic changes that resulted in a larger middle class and greater commercial prosperity.

Skills:

Students are able to:

Understand textual evidence of primary and secondary sources.
Locate places on a map.
Compare and contrast historical events.
Analyze historical events for cause and effect.

Understanding:

Students understand that:

Events and changes in the late Middle ages led to the origins of the Renaissance.

Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards

AAS Standard:
SS.AAS.8.17- Identify at least one key event, accomplishment, or person from the late Middle Ages.

Local/National Standards:

Primary Learning Objective(s):

Students will be able to explain how The Black Death brought about political and economic changes in the Middle Ages.

Additional Learning Objective(s):

Preparation Information

Total Duration:	61 to 90 Minutes
Materials and Resources:	Video of the song "Ring Around the Rosy." The Black Death Assignment Sheet (attachments, one copy per pair of students) The 10 Worst Modern Epidemics Sheet (attachments, one copy per pair of students) Diary page of Sarah Himes (one copy per pair of students) Video "What is the Black Plague and Should You Be Worried?" by PBS/Gross Science Rubric for Rap Song (attachments, one copy per pair of students)
Technology Resources Needed:	Computer or tablet with internet connection for research Video of "Ring Around the Rosy" Video "What is the Black Plague and Should You Be Worried?" by PBS/Gross Science
Background/Preparation:	Background knowledge of The Black Death print out copy of Sarah Himes' diary prior to the lesson (one copy per pair of students)

Procedures/Activities:

Before:

Turn and talk to your neighbor about one time when you were really sick. Allow students time to talk, then have 2-4 students share their stories aloud.

During:

Explain to the students that in the late Middle Ages there was an illness called a "plague" that made many people sick and even caused their death. It was called The Black Death and today they will be learning about The Black Death and its impact on family life, church life, and the economics of the time. Have students partner up and pass out The Black Death Assignment Sheet (attachments, one copy per pair of students). Tell students to answer the questions on the sheet as they watch/listen to the video. Show the PBS/Gross Science video "What is the Black Plague and Should You Be Worried?"

After the video, discuss the answers together as a group. Then pass out a copy of the excerpt from Sarah Himes' diary (one page for each pair of students). Read the diary page together as a class and discuss important details. Point out details mentioned about changes within the family and church in the letter.

Play the video "Ring Around the Rosy" and discuss why this song originated during this time frame. Play the song again, telling students to listen carefully to the lyrics and their meaning.

After:

Tell students it is their turn to compose a song about The Black Death. They will choose one of the ways (family life, church life, economics) The Black Death impacted the Middle Ages and compose a rap song with their partner to perform in front of the class. Students may use a tablet/computer for additional research if needed.

Assessment

Assessment Strategies

The Black Death Assignment Sheet (attachments)

Rubric for Rap Song (attachments)

Acceleration:	Have students research modern epidemics and compare/contrast them to The Black Death. (10 Worst Modern Epidemics Assignment Sheet in attachments). Students can create a poster to illustrate the modern epidemic they choose to research and how it compares/contrasts to The Black Death.
Intervention:	Students who are struggling may need additional support from a peer or teacher when completing the assignment sheet. They may also choose to draw pictures to illustrate the lyrics of their song instead of composing a song.

View the Special Education resources for instructional guidance in providing modifications and adaptations for students with significant cognitive disabilities who qualify for the Alabama Alternate Assessment.

ALEX Lesson Plan

"Pocket full of Posies"