History Odyssey Classic- Middle Ages

History Odyssey: Middle Ages Level Three (ON SALE)

Important Notice: A new edition of the main spine (The History of the World) has been released and does not align with the sequence of Middle Ages Level Three.

To complete this course successfully, you must use the older edition of J.M. Roberts’ The New History of the World (ISBN 978-0141030425 or 978-0195219272).

Course Details

• Format: PDF, black & white interior
• Length: 193 pages
• Grade Level: Appropriate for 9th - 12th grade
  Note: For students who have not had extensive experience with classical literature or expository writing, we recommend adapting our Level 2 History Odyssey courses for high school by adding research and writing projects.
• Course Type: Study guide eBook
  
  (See the Booklist for required books and resources.)

Course Overview

From Attila the Hun to Elizabethan England, Middle Ages Level Three provides a complete one-year curriculum that integrates history, literature, world geography, and writing into one cohesive program.

Students will engage in an advanced study of the events, people, and cultures of the Middle Ages — exploring topics such as monasticism, the Vikings, the spread of Islam, the Crusades, the Dark Ages, feudalism, the Renaissance, and the rise of African and Asian dynasties.

The course examines the successes and failures of civilizations from around the globe, including the Arabs, Normans, Byzantines, Mongols, Aztecs, Hapsburgs, Tudors, and others.

Middle Ages Level Three is designed as a student-directed guide, with step-by-step lessons covering the period from 500 CE to 1600 CE.

While students can work independently, parents or teachers may assist as needed with lessons and evaluation.

🗝️ This course does not require an answer key due to the interpretive nature of the assignments, which emphasize critical thinking. Mapwork answers can be found in the main spine, J.M. Roberts’ The New History of the World.

Literature and Writing Instruction

Students will refine literary and composition skills through advanced writing and analysis, including:

• How to write a thesis statement
• Understanding and defining epic literature
• Essay writing and poetry analysis
• Logic and rhetoric applied to literature and historical texts
• Producing critical biographies
• Developing advanced outlines for history readings
• Practicing literary analysis and argument structure

 

Critical Thinking and Historical Analysis

Students will deepen their understanding of the Middle Ages by:

• Identifying connections and cause/effect relationships
• Comparing and contrasting civilizations and religions
• Conducting timeline analyses
• Interpreting primary sources, including speeches, political writings, and poetry
• Examining geography’s influence on history through extensive mapwork

 

This Guide Includes

• 26 blackline maps covering the Middle Ages
• Worksheets and activity pages
• Recommended resource list
• 145 detailed lessons that incorporate:
• Literature
• Writing
• Mapwork
• Timeline activities
• Research projects

 

The History Odyssey Method

All History Odyssey courses employ five key learning techniques at age-appropriate levels. Students will:

1. Examine multiple resources to develop a well-rounded understanding of world history.
2. Read historically significant literature to connect human stories to historical context.
3. Develop critical thinking skills by analyzing and comparing sources.
4. Refine written and verbal expression through essays, outlines, and presentations.
5. Study world geography to understand the influence of physical location on historical events.

The History Odyssey Method in Middle Ages

Historical Study

• Examine the history of groups such as the Byzantines, Vikings, Arabs, Ottomans, Moguls, Mayans, and Normans, as well as societies from England, India, China, Japan, Africa, and the Americas.
• Read about the Middle Ages as an engaging narrative.
• Study classic literature and mythology.
• Analyze primary sources, including historical speeches and documents.

Literary and Writing Skills

• Explore mythology and literature from diverse cultures.
• Write thesis-driven essays and research papers.
• Practice rhetoric and public speaking.
• Write biographies of influential figures and assess their historical impact.
• Analyze multiple sources to evaluate validity and bias.
• Complete literature matrices to better understand complex works.
• Study military strategies and leadership comparisons.
• Examine the role of religion in shaping cultures.
• Practice proper citation and source attribution.
• Analyze timelines for connections, parallels, and anomalies.

Geography and Mapwork

• Identify major land and water regions of the medieval world.
• Complete detailed map keys and analyses.
• Examine how geographical advantages and challenges influenced trade, war, and exploration.
• Study how geography affected communication, migration, and cultural exchange.

Important Copyright Information

If you choose the eBook version of this course, you are purchasing a license to use the PDF for your own children. You may make copies for your own children, but you may not share (email, download, print and distribute, resell, etc.) this eBook or any portion of this eBook to others. Licensing is available for group, school, and co-op use. Please contact Pandia Press for details on group licensing (info@pandiapressbooks.com).