Bubonic Plague: Mapping the Dark Ages
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How did the Bubonic Plague transform European trade, society, and regional dynamics, as depicted in literature and revealed through map analysis during the Dark Ages?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How did the Bubonic Plague affect trade and the movement of goods and services in Europe during the Dark Ages?
- In what ways did the Bubonic Plague reshape European society, as reflected in Boccaccio's "The Decameron" and Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales"?
- How can map skills enhance our understanding of the spread and impact of the Bubonic Plague across different regions during the Dark Ages?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Analyze the impact of the Bubonic Plague on European trade routes and economic systems.
- Evaluate how the Bubonic Plague reshaped social structures and norms in Europe.
- Interpret literary works such as Boccaccio's "The Decameron" and Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" to understand societal responses to the Bubonic Plague.
- Develop map skills to visualize and analyze the spread of the Bubonic Plague across different regions.
High School Writing Handbook
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to students'The Pandemic Play'
Students participate in a live-action role-playing game where they are villagers in a medieval town struck by the plague. They must make decisions about trade, quarantine, and resource allocation, experiencing firsthand the challenges and consequences of the pandemic era. This event sparks inquiry into the social, economic, and literary responses to the plague, such as those found in Boccaccio's 'The Decameron' and Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.'Trade Route Tracker: Bubonic Plague Edition'
Students will map the primary trade routes in Europe during the time of the Bubonic Plague. They will then analyze how the plague affected these routes, noting changes in the movement of goods and services.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed map of Europe with annotated trade routes, showing the impact of the Bubonic Plague on the movement of goods and services.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Analyze the impact of the Bubonic Plague on European trade routes and economic systems. HS.WH.CE.1 (constructing an argument about the plague's impact on trade).'Social Impact Chronicle: Decameron and Canterbury Tales'
Students will read excerpts from Boccaccio's "The Decameron" and Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" to identify and analyze how the Bubonic Plague influenced social norms, behaviors, and structures.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written chronicle comparing and contrasting the social impacts of the Bubonic Plague as depicted in "The Decameron" and "The Canterbury Tales."Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Evaluate how the Bubonic Plague reshaped social structures and norms in Europe. Interpret literary works such as Boccaccio's "The Decameron" and Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" to understand societal responses to the Bubonic Plague. HS.WH.CE.1 (constructing an argument about the plague's impact on society).'Plague Spread Visualizer: Mapping the Pandemic'
Students will use map skills to visualize the spread of the Bubonic Plague across Europe. They will analyze the patterns of spread and consider factors that contributed to its dissemination.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual map illustrating the spread of the Bubonic Plague across Europe, accompanied by a written analysis of the patterns and contributing factors.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Develop map skills to visualize and analyze the spread of the Bubonic Plague across different regions. HS.WH.CE.1 (constructing an argument about the plague's spread).Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioBubonic Plague Assessment Rubric
Historical Analysis
Evaluation of student's understanding of historical events and their ability to analyze their impacts.Trade Route Impact
Assess the student's ability to identify and analyze the impact of the Bubonic Plague on European trade routes.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the Bubonic Plague's impact on European trade routes, using detailed and accurate annotations on a map.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a detailed analysis of the Bubonic Plague's impact on European trade routes, using accurate annotations on a map.
Developing
2 PointsOffers a basic analysis of the Bubonic Plague's impact on European trade routes with some inaccuracies in map annotations.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a limited analysis with significant inaccuracies in understanding the Bubonic Plague's impact on trade routes.
Social Structures
Evaluate the student's analysis of how the Bubonic Plague reshaped social structures in Europe.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a nuanced and insightful analysis of the Plague's impact on social structures, with detailed comparisons from literary works.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers a thorough analysis of the Plague's impact on social structures, with clear comparisons from literary works.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a basic analysis with some comparisons from literary works, but lacks depth.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates minimal understanding and provides limited analysis with few relevant comparisons from literary works.
Literary Interpretation
Assessment of ability to interpret and analyze literary works in context of historical events.Literary Analysis
Examine the student’s ability to interpret Boccaccio's 'The Decameron' and Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales' in the context of the Bubonic Plague.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional literary interpretation skills, providing deep insights into how literature reflects societal impacts of the Bubonic Plague.
Proficient
3 PointsShows strong literary interpretation skills, offering clear analysis of literature's portrayal of the Bubonic Plague.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic interpretation with limited insights into how literature reflects societal impacts of the Plague.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with interpreting literary texts and provides minimal insight into the societal impacts portrayed.
Map Skills and Visualization
Assessment of ability to utilize map skills to visualize and analyze geographical data.Map Creation and Annotation
Evaluate the student’s capability to create and annotate maps to represent historical spread patterns.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates highly detailed and accurate maps with insightful annotations demonstrating a deep understanding of historical spread patterns.
Proficient
3 PointsProduces detailed and mostly accurate maps with appropriate annotations analyzing spread patterns.
Developing
2 PointsDevelops maps with some detail and accuracy but lacks complete analysis of spread patterns.
Beginning
1 PointsAttempts map creation but lacks detail, accuracy, and understanding of spread patterns.