Monday, October 6, 2014

The Feudal System: M&M's, Dioramas and Chess

We've been learning all about the feudal system of the Middle Ages through lots of hands on activities and conversation. 

Making a chart of the four levels of society: 
serfs, knights, nobility and clergy, royalty

The first pyramid scheme! The serfs paid taxes (M&M's) to the knights who in turn gave much of what they received to the nobility and clergy. They, in turn, gave much of what they received to the king. 

Who can do the math? I can!
Was this system fair? A resounding no!
We then had a great conversation on how this system compares to our system of government. 

Making dioramas of the four levels. 
We later proudly presented them to the entire school at Gathering. 

What level would you like to have been?
"I would like to have been a king. I would have given everything back to the people." 

"I made a checkered floor for the throne room. There are banners on the walls."

"This is a hovel. It has a thatch roof. These are the dragons...."

 
"This is the armory where the knights kept all their weapons. I made a lot of catapults."

"I made a round table for the knights. Plus I made a long table for the feast in the Great Hall of the castle."

"My castle even has a secret escape route. You go through this noodle that is on the side..."

"The serfs work, work, work. All they do is work. These are the bundles of grain they harvested. This is a cart to haul stuff."

Ms Head and the 5th grade Narwhals came and explained the meaning behind the game of chess. We then got down to some serious business of playing chess. 

 
 






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