Catholicism during Middle Ages

Grade Level: High School

Lesson Plan

Objectives:

The student will know 2 comparative facts about Catholicism in the Middle Ages

Prep

Method

1. Opening Gassho

2. Intro

3. What do you know about the Middle Ages in Europe?

4. What happened in Europe after Christianity becomes the religion of Rome?

5. Overview Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPf27gAup9U

6. Talk w/ Worksheet (Have students follow along and fill in the worksheet)

   1. Christianisation of Rome (from 300 AD on increasing number of Christians in Rome)

      1. In 313, Constantine declares end of persecution of Christians and creates Constantinople as the new capitol. Peter might have been martyred during this time by the Romans either in Rome or near Jerusalem.

      2. In 325, Constantine calls Nicaean Council to create Nicene Creed

   2. Rise of Byzantine Empire

      1. In 395, Roman Empire splits into West and East halves (L)

      2. West Empire continues to deteriorate thanks to attacks from Huns and other barbarians (O)

      3. In 480, last emperor of the West Empire dies; Goths rule much of the countryside. Bishop of Rome(Pope) is a powerful institution. (D)

      4. In 554, Byzantine (from the East Empire) under Justinian I re-conquers most of Italy. (C)

   3. Fall of Rome

      1. By late 500s, Byzantine only has parts of Greece and all of Turkey. Long series of wars with Persian Empire and fighting Barbarians sapping Byzantine’s strength.

      2. In the 600s, Papacy becomes a political power. Monasteries are centers of learning as well as Christianity. Europe under continual attacks from barbarians descends into the Middle Ages

      3. 7th Century: Muslims conquer Syria, Judah, North Africa and Spain 

      4. In 800 Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne as the “Holy Roman Emperor” in recognition of the support of the Frankish Kingdom (precursor to France). Byzantine Empire is not able to protect or help Rome.

7. Activity: Detective Game

   1. Explain the game and the rules (below)

   2. Play the game

8. Review

   1. Ask what the students find memorable

"Who killed Monsigner Pedro?" Game

Crime

Monsigner Pedro was killed in front of the St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Medical examination reveals that he was struck with an object to the head at around 8:30 pm. Find out who! (Find the Motive, Means and Opportunity for each Suspect). You are an Roman police detective sent to solve this crime.

Suspects

• “Monsigner” Victor - Jealous (and crazy) ex-priest

  • Motive: Thought M. Pedro was the devil

  • Means: Fingerprints found on a rock near victim’s body

  • Opportunity: Attended services with victim

  • Alibi: Was talking to his psychologist at  8:30 pm

• Gangster Hugo 

  • Motive: Thinks a henchman revealed the details of a kidnapping to the victim in a confessional.

  • Means: Fingerprints on crowbar in his car

  • Opportunity: His car seen in front of the church

  • Alibi: Was stopped for running a red light at 8:27 pm

• Countess Thedora

  • Motive: Confessed to having had an affair with the victim. Thinks victim told her husband who is threatening divorce.

  • Means: Fingerprints on a candelabra in church

  • Opportunity: Attended service that night at the Basilica

  • Alibi: Was with her lover (another) at 8:15 pm

• Businessman Klause

  • Motive: Blames business failure on victim who encouraged people to organize against take-over of their park.

  • Means: Fingerprints on gun

  • Opportunity: Attended service; seen talking to victim afterwards

  • Alibi: At a dinner meeting at 8:07 pm

Clues

Cell phone records that victim was moving around at 8:10 pm 

Randomly decide:

Who was the killer

Setup

Decide on the four locations.  They are listed as "Office", "Gym", "Library", "Crosswalk" in this sheet. They can be anywhere in your church/temple complex.

Put all the Clues and Activity in the proper locations

During class, decide on teams (at least 2 students per team)

Explain that there is an activity before getting the Clue.

4 Activities

• Jumping Jacks (20x/person on team)

• Question: "Where would Caesar be if he was alive and running the temple?"

  • Answer: "Office". The students need to go to the "Office"

• Office : Get Clue & Crossword Puzzle and return to the classroom

• After they finish & get all correct, Sit ups (20x/person on team)

• Question: "What was the name of the Eastern Roman Empire?"

  • Answer: "Byzantine" The students need to go to the "Gym"

• Gym: Get Clue & Sudoku and return to the classroom. 

• After they finish & get the next location (Library), they need to do a "backward crab walk" with a ball on their stomach.

• Question: "

• Library: Get Clue and return to the classroom

• Solve  the crime

Climber 20x/person on team

Clue: “Where Caeser would be if he was alive and running the temple?"

Ans: Office

Password: Caeser

Go to Office

Crossword. Return to classroom.

Answers

Across: 7. Monasteries 8. Persia 10. Papacy 11. Nicene Creed

Down: 1. Byzantine Empire 2. Charlemagne 3. Spain 4. Justinian 5. Goths 6. Constantinople 9. Huns 12 Constantine

Sudoku

Riddle

Solve the mystery

Review