Lesson Three

Texts
Text A- The Feudal System
Text B- The Peasant and Serf Life
Text C- Life in the Village

Materials
Student Interactive Notebook (pgs. 7-10)

Activities
1. Creating a Claim: Teacher modelingTC_Bubble
Now that we have learned something about life at this time, what claims can we make about what life was like for a medieval serf living in the feudal system? Based on Texts A, B and C, what do we think we can say about a serf’s life?TC_Bubble

  • Have students record “My Teacher’s Possible Claims” in the provided space, as well as read the example provided on the evidence organizer in the interactive notebook (page 7).

2. Pair Work
With your partner, create a few claims that answer the Essential Question: What was life like for a medieval serf? In order to make a strong claim, find evidence in the text to support your claim and cite that evidence. Complete this work in the evidence organizer in the interactive notebook (pgs. 8-9).TC_Bubble

3. Whole Class Discussion
Your teacher will be calling on several student pairs to share a claim you are considering and evidence from the texts that you think support your claim. You will need to explain how the evidence supports your claim. How do you know? Be sure to cite the paragraph and page number where you found this information. Your teacher will add this to the class notetaker. Add notes and citations to your notetaker, too.TC_Bubble

4. Individual Think-Write
Look back at your claim(s). Now that you have discussed more possible evidence, are there any changes (revisions) you want to make to your claim(s)? Is there a new claim you want to capture?

5. Draw Your Claim and EvidenceTC_Bubble
Your teacher will give you a simple drawing of a medieval couple named Serf Thomas and Serf Anne. Using the evidence you have gathered on your notetaker so far, add detailed pictures and phrases showing Serf Thomas and Serf Anne’s life. Show your claim(s) your drawing and make it come to life! Use the questions below to guide you.TC_Bubble

  • What was life like for a serf living in Medieval Europe?
  • What did serfs do during the day?
  • How were serfs treated by others?
  • Where did they live?
  • What might they be thinking?

6. Pair ShareTC_Bubble
Turn to your partner and share at least two parts of your picture. Your teacher will ask for volunteers to share their drawings with the class and explain how they know.