Name: __________________________ Due: _______________________ Pattern : ___________
Creating a Medieval Survival Guide for the Black Death
Introduction:
The Black Death killed over one third of the population in Europe in the 1300's. It was deadly and
everyone was afraid of catching it. This activity will teach you about what the plague was, what it did,
how it was caught, how it was treated, and how it impacted the world.
Task:
With a partner you will be creating a "Survival Guide" for a person traveling to Europe in the Middle
Ages...because this person will most definitely encounter the horrible plague that ravaged Europe, also
known as “The Black Death.” Your Survival Guide will include information about the Black Death as a
disease, its causes, cures and how it spreads. Be sure to include as much information as possible, because
you could potentially save someone's life!
Your Survival Guide Must Contain The Following Components
1. How did the plague arrive in Europe?
•
•
•
Where did the bubonic plague originate?
How did the plague enter Western Europe?
What areas of Western Europe would be most affected (rural or urban)? Explain.
2. How do you know if you had the Black Death?
•
Explain symptoms in the early and late stages of the Black Death.
3. How can you protect yourself from the Black Death?
•
Explain how people protected themselves from it in the Middle Ages? Did it work?
4. How can you treat the Black Death if you have it?
•
Explain the treatment methods used in the Middle Ages.
5. Map
This map should show how the plague spread and the areas of Europe that were affected in the 1300’s.
Also possibly include areas the person using your guide should avoid!
6. If You Survive - How will life be different in Europe? Through these questions, explain how life
will change for that person if they survive.
• Identify and explain how the plague affected life for people during this time period (population, classes,
etc)?
• Identify and explain how the plague affected the growth of towns and cities?
• Identify and explain how the plague affected the economy of Europe (jobs, money, resources, etc.)?
Name: __________________________ Due: _______________________ Pattern : ___________
Assessment
Criteria
5
4
3
2
1
Analyzing and
synthesizing
information
regarding the
impact of the
Black Death
(X6)
You included the
most significant
information and
comprehensive
detail regarding
Black Death
You included
relevant
information and
thorough detail
regarding the
Black Death
You included
basic
information and
partial detail
regarding the
Black Death
You included
only vague
information and
incomplete
information
regarding the
Black Death
Not enough
information was
given.
Organization
X2
Your project was Your project was
extremely well
well organized
organized and
and fairly easy to
easy to read
read containing
while being free very few errors.
of errors. You
You included
included pictures
pictures that
that were
were relevant,
coloured, neat
but may have
and related to the
lacked some
topic.
details.
Your project was More effort was
missing a few
required to
details to make it
organize your
organized and
project as it was
contained several disorganized and
errors. Pictures
was filled with
were not always
errors.
relevant or made Information and/
an impact on the or pictures were
page.
missing and
lacked relevancy
to the topic.
Not enough
information was
given.
Total
Assignment adapted from : http://lukensocialstudies.weebly.com/the-black-death.html
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