Creating our Classroom Castle

After two weeks of castle building, we finally took our build apart today. While it was disappointing for all of us, we had so much fun throughout the entire process!

From the start, the class had a vision. We sat down and planned out each room, decoration, and feature of our future castle. The kids took inspiration from medieval castles around the world we'd studied (wall structures from English castles, turrets from Swedish castles, and decorations in the style of Japanese castles from the time period). Once we had our plan mapped out, the class grabbed some cardboard and duct tape and got to work!

Students researched historical castles to learn about all the different rooms as well as the people that occupied the fantastic homes!

Others created decorations such as flowers, torches, tapestries, and Seabury flags.

Every castle needs a portcullis and drawbridge! This was a tricky challenge that took lots of trial and error.

The castle walls were another challenge. Students created secret tunnels, a bed chamber, a kitchen, a dungeon, windows, watch towers, and more!

(Left) A knight with his crafted bow, arrows, and quiver.

(Right) A queen with her crafted crown!

Students spend their last day in the castle having fun. 

Drawbridge Challenge

This past week, the Geodragons learned more about medieval castles. The students learned about all of the parts of these castles and compared and contrasted medieval castle architecture in many different countries. 

At the end of the week, the students were presented with the challenge to create their own functioning drawbridges! Presented with simple materials, each group would have to brainstorm designs and work together to carry out this STEAM challenge. Challenges like this require students to demonstrate creative thinking, persistence, and team work.

In the pictures below, students are hard at work creating their own versions of a drawbridge!

Life in Medieval Europe

We've recently been learning about what it was like to live in medieval Europe! Yesterday, the class participated in a feudal system simulation. Each student randomly chose their destiny – some became lords and ladies, some became knights, some became peasants, and one lucky student became queen. 

The class learned firsthand how different life could be, just based on the role they were "born" into! Our queen was treated with the utmost respect and had all the food she could want, while the peasants had to give up the food they farmed on their lord or lady's manor. 

In the pictures below, knights kneel by their lord or lady at their manor. Serfs (peasants) are bound to the manor land (or, in our case, the desk).