Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, students will learn about the legend of King Arthur as depicted in stories, poems, and artwork. Students will explore the similarities and differences between King Arthur’s persona as depicted in legend and in history, and learn how historic events gradually merged with fantasy to create the story of King Arthur that we know today. Students will examine the symbolism of the Round Table, The Holy Grail, and Excalibur, and learn about medieval clothing and regalia. Based on their knowledge and discussion of context, symbolism, and costuming, students will then craft an outline for a theatrical performance, which will be performed by for the class.
Length of Lesson:
Five 45-minute class periods
Notes:
This lesson is particularly suitable for grade 7.
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- describe the origins of the legend of King Arthur
- explain the historical and mythical aspects of the Arthurian legend
- research symbols based on the King Arthur lesson
- develop an outline for a theater piece, updating King Arthur’s legend for a contemporary audience
- research and design replicas of clothing worn during the time of King Arthur for their character
Supplies:
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Fabric and notions to create costumes
Instructional Plan:
Warm Up
Introduce the lesson by explaining to the students that they will learn about King Arthur. Ask students to write down any facts they know about King Arthur, or the Knights of the Round Table. Begin a discussion on this topic and have the students volunteer the facts they know. List these facts on the board or chart paper.
To immerse the class in Arthurian legend, show students images, or read poetry and story excerpts from the legend of King Arthur (see Sources). Discuss the various symbols embedded in the King Arthur legend, using words already on the board and adding new ones if needed. Explain to the students that they will focus on the most popular of the King Arthur Legend symbols: Excalibur, the Round Table, and/or The Holy Grail.
Tell students that there are many stories, and many different versions, about King Arthur. Ask the class if they think Arthur was a real person. Then explain that many people consider King Arthur to be a mythical figure, while others see him as real, historical figure. Have the class access the King Arthur’s Knights Web site and read the Historical Arthur section. Then, have them compare it with the Legendary Arthur section of the site. Have students complete the Reality Versus Legend Worksheet. After students have completed this handout, discuss whether they think Arthur was a real person, or a mythical character, and their reasons why.
Guided Practice
Discuss with the class the three symbols that are deemed the most important to the story of King Arthur: the Round Table, Excalibur, and The Holy Grail. Divide the class into three groups, and assign each group one of the three symbols. Have them read the instructions in Symbolism in the Legend of King Arthur Worksheet. This contains basic information about each symbol. Have students read the questions in the handout, write down their thoughts, and discuss each question as a group. When all three groups have completed the handout, bring the class together and ask each group to present their discussion topic. The class should take notes on the two additional topics they did not discuss in their group. Provide clean copies of the worksheet, students for students to take notes on the topics they did not review.
Explain to the students that at the end of this lesson, they will craft an outline for a theater piece based on a theme from the King Arthur Legend. Their piece will incorporate the symbols, characters, and cultural context that they have learned.
Have students write a 75-word paragraph expanding on their ideas about one of the three King Arthur symbols. Allow them to use the worksheets they have made notes on and encourage them to do other research as well. Inform the students that they are building informational text and ideas that will help them when it is time to complete their character. Explain that students will create a modern-day context for a related theme of their choosing. Allow students to brainstorm ideas about possible symbols, characters, or cultural context for their theater piece outline.
Independent Practice
Have students use Theater Piece Outline Worksheet as a guide. This outline will guide students to:
- select one of the symbols from King Arthur’s legend, and think about how that symbol might suggest a theme or context for their theater outline
- choose a character from the King Arthur legend to write about.
- complete a guided outline using this character for their theater piece.
Students can develop character dialogue to complete their theater outline (monologue form). Use all the resources you have created so far for useful information. They could use the following suggested topics or create a monologue of their own:
- Greeting someone at the fair that you have not seen in a while
- Talking to someone at a party or gathering
- Children playing
- Walking in a garden or a maize
- Workers on the farm
- Knights sitting at the round table
Costuming is an important part of a period production. Ask students if they have any knowledge of medieval clothing, then write any information students volunteer on the board. Explain that the clothing of this period denoted one’s class, stature, or profession within society. Discuss with students the idea that clothing not only reflects one’s place in society but also the time in which one lives. Have students fill out a fun questionnaire about medieval hats. Correct the questionnaires as a class and discuss the answers. Have students do research online to create a costume for their character. If student cannot actually create a costume from fabric, they should illustrate the design on paper to show the class during their presentation. Several web sites that provide important information on medieval clothing:
- Lothene Experimental Archeology
http://www.lothene.demon.co.uk/crafts6.html
The Lothene experimental Archeology site has wonderful patterns that can be copied to make simple tunics.
- Medieval Clothing Pages
http://www.virtue.to/articles/
Contains a series of articles on various pieces of clothing, hats and hair, and accessories used in medieval times.
- Medieval Life.net
http://www.medieval-life.net/clothing.htm
This site on medieval life has descriptions of basic medieval clothing.
- The Middle Ages: Clothing
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/clothing.html
This is the Annenberg/CPB cite on clothing of the middle ages.
Students will then present their character in short several minute pieces. If they were able to develop and create a costume for their character they should be instructed to wear it. If they could not create one but did develop it on paper they should verbally explain what they are wearing.
Assessment:
Use the Assessment Rubric to assess your students' works.
Sources:
Print:
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Idylls of the King and a Selection of Poem. Signet Classics, 2003.
- Crossley-Holland, Kevin. At the Crossing-Places. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2002.
- Crossley-Holland, Kevin. King of the Middle March. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2004.
- Green, Roger Lancelyn and Reiniger, Lotte. King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table
Puffin Books, 1995.
- Hanawalt, Barbara A. Oxford. The Middle Ages: An Illustrated History. University Press, 1998.
- Kerven , Rosalind. DK Classics: King Arthur. Dorling Kindersley Publishing, 1998.
- Malory, Thomas, Matthews, John, and Ferguson, Anna-Marie (Illustrator). Le Morte D’Arthur: Complete, Unabridged, Illustrated Edition. Cassell Academic, 2000.
- Springer, Nancy. I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot. Puffin Books, Reprint Edition. 2002.
- Twain, Mark. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. Bantam Books, 1994.
- Whitaker, Muriel. The Legends of King Arthur in Art. D. S. Brewer, 2000. Reissue Edition
- White, T.H. The Once and Future King. Mass Market Paperback Edition. Ace Books, 1987.
- White, T.H. The Sword in the Stone. Mass Market Paperback Edition. Laurel Leaf, 1978.
- Yolen, Jane. Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur. Harcourt Children’s Books, 2003.
Web:
Authors:
-
Scholastic Inc.
New York, NY
