If you’re a social studies teacher looking to enhance your curriculum or searching for supplementary resources, you’ve found the right place. I want to help every teacher be their best when teaching your Medieval Europe unit! The following resources are activities I personally use in my Middle Ages units.
Medieval Europe Bell Ringers
I kick off my Medieval Europe unit with dynamic, no-prep, skill-based bell ringers. Each bell ringer engages students by reviewing content and practicing crucial reading and writing skills such as subject/verb identification, citation, and sentence writing, with fun drawing prompts included. This approach not only prepares students for the day’s lesson but helps with classroom management, establishing routines and maintaining student expectations.
Medieval Europe Map Activities for Middle School Social Studies
I start every ancient or medieval world history unit with an immersive map activity. This Medieval Europe Map & Reading Activity provides students with a hands-on approach to understanding European geography, and its impact on kingdoms. Each lesson includes interactive map labeling, coloring tasks, followed by a short reading passage and writing activity on geographic influences, as well as a Google Classroom or printable quiz.
European Feudalism Simulation
It can be hard to bring historic concepts and events into ancient and world history courses. So when we finally get the chance to teach European Feudalism, social studies teachers want to make it an amazing lesson our students will remember.
I teach the Stone Age through an immersive European Feudalism Simulation. The simulation begins with short lectures covering Clovis, Charlemagne, Christianity & invasions. As Europe becomes more turbulent, students battle each other by playing Rock, Paper, Scissors followed by short written reflections. The simulation concludes with students answering reflection questions, complete an extension and take a quiz.
Simulations are powerful tools for engaging students and making classroom management easier. This activity is excellent for both introducing and reviewing content, ensuring that students grasp key concepts effectively. Students never forget simulations—they’ll be talking about this all year!
Charlemagne History Hero or Villain Reading Activity
When I plan a reading comprehension activity, I want to make it interesting for students. In the Charlemagne History Hero or Villain Reading Activity, students delve into the good, bad and ugly of historical figures, answering Common Core-aligned questions that develop critical thinking skills. A Google Poll vote concludes the activity, promoting thoughtful discussions on Charlemagne legacy. I often use this activity to develop writing skills, and do a collaborative poster activity!
Role and Conflicts of the Church Reading Activity
To help my students grasp the role and influence of religion, I use a free short Catholic Church Reading Activity. It covers the power struggles between Henry IV and Gregory VII and is a great lesson to do before the Crusades.
Monastery Activity
It can be hard to bring historic concepts and events into ancient and world history courses. So when we finally get the chance to teach Monasteries & Abbeys, social studies teachers want to make it an amazing lesson our students will remember.
I transport students back to the Middle Ages with a role-playing adventure as monks and nuns visiting a monastery! They learn how people became monks or nuns, explore the strict rules of monasteries and abbeys, and engage in daily practices like praying and creating manuscripts. What’s more, they discover how these religious centers grew wealthier over time and faced attacks from hostile kings and Vikings. Through short lectures, picture reveals, and videos, students will take notes on their experiences. By the end, they will be ready to write four key takeaways and take a quiz.
Crusades Map Activity
I start every ancient or medieval world history unit with an immersive map activity. This Crusades Map & Reading Activity provides students with a hands-on approach to understanding the locations and routes of the Crusades, and its impact on Europe. Each lesson includes interactive map labeling, coloring tasks, followed by a short reading passage and writing activity on geographic influences, as well as a Google Classroom or printable quiz.
First Crusade Activity
It can be hard to bring historic concepts and events into ancient and world history courses. So when we finally get the chance to teach the First Crusade, social studies teachers want to make it an amazing lesson our students will remember.
I teach the Stone Age through an immersive First Crusades Activity. Students will role play as reporters as they interview pilgrims and knights. They will record information about battles, Crusaders’ motivations, routes taken to the Holy Land and the war’s long term impacts. They will evaluate whether Crusaders’ actions go against Christian teachings. After students will write an article about what they have experienced then take a quiz.
Activities are powerful tools for engaging students and making classroom management easier. This activity is excellent for both introducing and reviewing content, ensuring that students grasp key concepts effectively. Students never forget simulations—they’ll be talking about this all year!
Medieval Europe Documentary
Documentaries provide a great opportunity for students to learn or review using visual mediums. I tell my students that documentaries are like virtual field trips because we get to hear from historians and archaeologists, and see the actual sites students have studied. I also like to mix it up! Documentaries are a nice change of pace for classes, and they are great for sub plans too! In episode one of Origins in the Secrets of the Castle Documentary, Host Dr Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides viewers through Homo sapiens origins in Africa and their migration out of Africa.
Common Law & Magna Carta Reading Activity
To help my students grasp English Common Law and the Magna Carta, I use a short reading activity. Students will develop their understanding of English common law under King Henry II and of the Magna Cara, the Great Council and Parliament under King John by reading four articles.
Medieval Castle Project
Engage students with a hands-on 3D project where they construct a Medieval Castle Project. This culminating activity integrates key terms and historical events, encouraging collaborative learning and creative expression. A detailed checklist and rubric ensure project quality and classroom decoration.
Medieval Europe Test
I used to dread making tests for my ancient and world history units. If you need help writing your unit test for the Medieval Europe Test, use this assessment covering European geography, feudalism, Charlemagne, Christianity, Catholic Church. There is a regular and modified version, a study guide and writing tests.
The Medieval Europe unit is designed with teachers in mind. It is full of time-saving activities. You will get more student buy-in with interactive simulations, hands-on projects, and insightful discussions on historical figures. Designed for flexibility, the Middle Ages unit helps teachers be their best!
Be sure to listen to the Middle Ages Podcast for more awesome ideas ancient and world history teachers!