Images of the Middle Ages

Main topics include the barbarian invasions, the spread of Christianity, the feudal system and the growth of towns and trade. Activity pages contain background information for the teacher as well as suggestions for teaching and assessing student learning. Many of the topics are looked at through the eyes of the peasant, knights, nobles and and tradespeople of the Middle Ages. Through their tools and weapons, buildings and art and stories and beliefs, students can better understand how these people viewed their world and what things they valued. Such insights can help them realize that the needs, desires and hopes of past peoples were not so different form their lives today.