Use this slideshow to introduce students to the purpose of medieval castles and to give them a glimpse of some of the activities going on inside their walls.
Teaching Strategies
Excerpted from
![Eyewitness: Castle](https://www.teachervision.com/sites/default/files/styles/tv_execerpts_107/public/fe_teacher_bookshelf/2012_01/DK_9780756643508_0.jpg)
Eyewitness: Castle
Eyewitness: Castle provides an in-depth, comprehensive look at the history and structure of castles through a unique integration of words and pictures. Discover the mysteries of the medieval castle and what life was like for those living within.
Receive 20% off your DK purchase with promo code DKCLIP.
Objective
Students will learn that medieval castles provided both protection and a home for the lords who built them and the community who served them.
Suggested Time
15 minutes
Reading Level
Upper Elementary
![The Medieval Castle Mini-Lesson](/sites/default/files/mini_lesson/2012_01/ewg_castle038grehal_009_ml_ie.jpg)
Teacher Background
Many of the great fortifications of the Middle Ages are still standing today, often dominating the surrounding countryside. Why were they
Read more
Print or Project
- A Visual Overview: Show the slideshow of photos to your class. Each has a descriptive caption and kid-friendly copy for your students to read. (Please note that there is also more extensive teacher note copy just for you.)
- Creative Caption Review: Once you've been through the slideshow for an overview, go back through it again. This time ask students to explain why the captions do (or do not!) work.(Example: Do you think the caption "Castle Sweet Castle" is a good one for the first photo? Why or why not?)
Continue the Conversation
Ask students to think about some of the movies or TV shows that showed a castle being defended (Robin Hood, Shrek, etc.). Then lead a discussion about why the castle structure provided such good protection.
Write about it
Ask students to imagine they are a small mouse in a castle kitchen. Prompt them to write an imaginary paragraph about the sights, sounds, and smells they might see, hear, and smell.
Lesson Contents
![](/themes/teachervision/images/thumbs-teacher-resources.png)
TEACHER RESOURCES
Extension Activities
Reinforcements