Keeping
away from The Black Death
Grade Level(s): 10
Subject(s): English/Language
Arts, Health
Learner Outcomes: The
students will
understand the bubonic
plague, its causes, and its symptoms
use
the Internet to locate information about the bubonic plague
examine
how the bubonic plague affected the citizens of the Renaissance, specifically
William Shakespeare
use
the word processor
conjecture
what it would be like / feel like to live in plague conditions
create
an original piece of fiction
create
an original piece of art
Duration of Lesson: Five
class periods (approximately 45-50 minutes each)
Materials:
paper
and pencil for note taking and class work
copies
of The
Black Death Scavenger Hunt
miscellaneous
art supplies
Technology Tools/Courseware:
video The Black Death
(or other video on this topic)
television
VCR
word
processor
Internet
Teacher Notes:
Find / preview video
for use on Day One. Video mentioned in lesson plan can be found at
AMR
Video.
Make
sufficient copies of the worksheet The
Black Death Scavenger Hunt for use on Days Two and Three.
Make
sure that Internet
consent forms are on file for each student.
Schedule computer lab, if necessary.
Procedures:
Day One
-
Teacher will introduce the concept of
the "Black Death" by showing the video The Black Death (© 1997
Arts & Entertainment Ancient Mysteries Series). NOTE: Teacher
may choose to show only specific portions of the video.
Day Two
Day Three
-
Teacher will facilitate a class discussion
of the previous day's findings, using the worksheet The
Black Death Scavenger Hunt as a discussion guide. NOTE:
students will probably want to share many feelings and opinions on this
unusual topic.
-
Students will write a paragraph describing
how the plague might have affected William Shakespeare and his writings
(teacher can prompt students with information concerning his son Hamnet's
death and his wishes to be buried beneath concrete inside the Holy Trinity
Church to avoid removal from the cemetery due to the high number of deaths).
-
Students can share information from their
paragraphs.
Days Three, Four, and Five
-
Students will create an original piece
of fiction based on the two topic choices. Fiction must be a minimum
of 500 words, completed on the word processor, completed in MLA
format, and be free from grammatical errors: [Choice One] Imagine
you are living during the plague. Create diary entries for one week
of your life. [Choice Two] Write a short story set in a plague town.
-
Students will create an original piece
of art to accompany their fiction.
Modifications:
Exceptional students may
need extended time or teamed with a partner.
Enrichment Activities:
Students
can create a Power Point presentation based on their plague research.
Students
can research and present information concerning an actual person's experiences
with the plague.
Evaluation/Assessment:
Completion
of the worksheet The
Black Death Scavenger Hunt
Answer
Key for scavenger hunt attached
Participation
during class discussions
Completion
of paragraph on Day Three
Rubric
attached for fiction assignment
Completion
of art project
State and National Standards:
West
Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives
English 10
Listening and Speaking
10.1
Reading Comprehension 10.26
Writing Skills 10.39,10.43, 10.45,
10.48, 10.49, 10.51
Computer Technology 10.81, 10.82,
10.83
Health
HE 18, 23, 31, 59, 61,
62, 63
National
Standards
Health
2. Knows environmental and external factors that affect individual and
community health
Language
Arts 1. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
Job/Career Clusters:
Fine Arts/Humanities
References:
Gode
Cookery (clip art)
Renaissance
Authors:
Duval
High School
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