Becoming a Knight, Medieval History Comprehension, Chivalry & Heraldry, Digital-Print

No-prep medieval history comprehension and creative activity pack focused on becoming a knight, the Code of Chivalry, and heraldry. Designed for middle and high school students, this engaging print-and-digital resource explores the journey from page to knight, the values of honour and loyalty, and the meaning behind coats of arms. Students develop comprehension, analysis, and creative thinking through structured source tasks, retrieval quizzes, writing activities, and a design-your-own coat of arms task. Includes editable slides, digital worksheets, and a complete solution key.

What’s Included:

• Editable slide presentation (PPTX)
  Visual introduction to knight training, chivalry, and heraldry
• Comprehension & source analysis worksheets (PDF + Digital)
  Includes background reading, mini-quizzes, and source tasks
• PEEL paragraph writing task
  Students respond to “Was becoming a knight a difficult journey?” using structured writing support
• Creative coat of arms design task
  Students design their own heraldic shield with symbols, colours, and a motto reflecting their personal values
• Comparative task: Knights vs. Modern Soldiers
  Chart-based reflection on training, honour codes, equipment, and societal roles
• Armour Through the Ages activity
  Timeline and source-based task comparing medieval and modern body armour
• Solution key
  Answer sheets for quizzes, comprehension questions, and model PEEL writing
  

Skills Developed Through This Activity:

• Reading comprehension and retrieval
• Source analysis of historical texts and images
• Structured writing using PEEL framework
• Creative expression through heraldry
• Comparative thinking and synthesis
• Critical reflection on values in medieval and modern contexts

How to Use this Activity in your Classroom:

• Use slides to introduce the succession crisis and claimants
• Assign the comprehension worksheet for individual or group work
• Discuss events and claims using the visual map timeline and claim charts
• Assign persuasive writing as a summative task
• Use the solution key for fast feedback or peer review
  

How to Use this Activity in your Classroom:

• Introduce the topic with editable slides on knightly training and values
• Assign comprehension and quiz worksheets to consolidate key facts
• Use PEEL paragraph activity as a formative writing assessment
• Facilitate a creative session designing coats of arms with reflection writing
• Wrap up with a modern comparison using the knight vs. soldier chart and body armour timeline
• Use the solution key for guided feedback or peer marking
  

Extension Activities with the Resource:

• Diary entry from the perspective of a page or squire in training
• Class discussion: What would a modern code of chivalry look like?
• Art project: Turn coats of arms into physical posters or digital graphics
• Research task: Explore real medieval heraldic symbols and famous knight orders
• Debate: Were knights more honourable than modern soldiers?

Learn more about this product’s features, care instructions, and other useful details to help you make an informed choice.

Learn more about this product’s features, care instructions, and other useful details to help you make an informed choice.