Medieval History
7th-Grade
Seventh-grade Social Studies focuses on the social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred in Europe, Africa, Asia, Central America, and South America in the years A.D. 500-1789. After reviewing the ancient world and the ways in which archeologists and historians uncover the past, students study the history and geography of great civilizations that were developing concurrently throughout the world during medieval and modern times. They examine the growing economic interaction among civilizations as well as the exchange of ideas, beliefs, technologies, and commodities. They learn about the resulting growth of Enlightenment philosophy and the new examination of the concepts of reason and authority, the natural rights of human beings, the divine right of kings, experimentalism in science, and the dogma of belief. Finally, students assess the political forces encouraged by the Enlightenment, particularly the rise of democratic ideas, and about the continuing influence of these ideas in the world today.
Course Overview: 7th-grade Medieval History
Trimester I
Unit 1: Medieval Europe
Chapters
3 - The Legacy of the Roman Empire
4 - The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe
5 - The Roman Catholic Church in Medieval Europe
6 - Life in Medieval Towns
7 - The Decline of Feudalism
Projects
Medieval Knight Simulation
Designing a Manor House
Unit 2: Spread of Islam
Chapters
8 - The Byzantine Empire
9 - The Origins and Spread of Islam
10 - Learning about World Religions: Islam
11 - Muslim Innovations and Adaptations
12 - From the Crusades to New Muslim Empires
Projects
SHEG Crusades Source Analysis
Unit 3: West Africa
Chapters
15 - Early Societies in West Africa
16 - Ghana: A West African Trading Empire
17 - The Influence of Islam on West Africa
18 - The Cultural Legacy of West Africa
Projects
African Folktales Project
Trimester II
Unit 4: Imperial China
Chapters
19 - The Political Development of Imperial China
20 - China Develops a New Economy
21 - Chinese Discoveries and Inventions
22 - China's Contacts with the Outside World
31 - The Mongol Empire
Projects
Chinese Sharktank
Unit 5: Medieval Japan
Chapters
23 - The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan
24 - Heian-kyo: The Heart of Japan's Golden Age
25 - The Rise of the Warrior Class in Japan
Projects
Tanka Poetry Slam
Samurai Advertisements
Unit 6: Civilizations of the Americas
Chapters
26 - The Maya
27 - The Aztec
28 - Daily Life in Tenochtitlán
29 - The Inca
30 - The Achievements of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca
Projects
Advancements & Innovations Research Paper
Trimester III
Unit 7 : Europe's Renaissance & Reformation
Chapters
33 - The Renaissance Begins
34 - Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance
35 - Leading Figures of the Renaissance
36 - The Reformation Begins
Projects
Renaissance Art Recreations
Leading Figures Trading Cards
Notable Inventions - Design Lab
Unit 8: Europe Enters the Modern Age
Chapters
37 - The Spread and Impact of the Reformation
38 - The Age of Exploration
39 - The Scientific Revolution
40 - The Enlightenment
Projects
SHEG Reformation Doc Analysis