KSAT

Unit 2: Integrated Castle Project

Overview
Castles were very prominent in the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. You will now be expected to design your own castle with only a few specifications given. You may NOT use any prefabricated materials (i.e. Lego’s) to construct your castle. Neatness and creativity counts. Again, parents may help, but this is to be a learning experience for the student.

The base of your castle (also known as the “ground”) can either be 9 inches X 11 inches or 18 inches X 11 inches. The height of the walls will be left up to the student to calculate. (Caution: for those of you who ride the bus, REMEMBER, you must get this castle to school). It will also be the student’s choice as to how much battlement to add to their castle (also known as the rectangular crenellations along the top). Each castle must have a minimum of 4 towers.

English
For the English portion of this project, students will write an expository essay describing the Black Death. They will have to describe what caused the Black Death, how it spread, how it was treated, and the effects it had on the human body, the economy, and the feudal system.

Math
For the Math portion of this project, students will measure the dimensions of the base (length and width) of their castle and then find the area and perimeter of the base, including all appropriate units and steps. Using the catapult data, students will compile class data in math and then find the mean, median, mode, and range of their class data. (Remember to include your units).

Reading
For the Reading portion of this project, students will keep a journal about the daily activities of being a peasant. Students will write in their journal to explain what is happening in their life and news about what is happening at the castle. This viewpoint will allow you to understand the importance of the role/work provided by peasants.

Science
For the Science portion of this project, students will write a report to determine the distance needed to make a successful hit on the castle. A catapult, built in class, will be used to collect data. Based on the scientific method and data collected from the catapult launches, students will write a formal lab report.

Social Studies
For the Social Studies portion of this project, you will be responsible for building the template of the castle (walls and towers) and the layout of the inside of the castle. There will be several mandatory buildings and the student is free to add any additional buildings. The third portion of this project will be to create your own castle flag. The first letter MUST BE illuminated, which will be explained in Social Studies class.

Technology
For the Technology portion of this project, you will create a PowerPoint about your castle. You will include your castle layout, the castle dimensions and a chart of the data analysis of the catapult. You will include the following slides: a slide on the different materials used to build castles, a slide on how to improve the defense systems using modern technology and a slide comparing the lives of people today with those of the medieval times. Last, you will insert a graphic of the shield for your castle created for check point #1.

CASTLE PROJECT RUBRIC – 6K

Math: (with all appropriate units)
            Dimensions for base of castle                __________                            2 points
            Area of castle                                       __________                            3 points
            Perimeter of castle                                __________                            3 points
            Data Analysis of Catapult:
            (Measures of Central Tendency)
            Mean                                                   __________                            3 points
            Median                                     __________                            3 points
            Mode                                                   __________                            3 points
            Range                                                   __________                            3 points

Technology:
Shield for castle __________ 4 points
Castle PowerPoint __________ 6 points

Science:
Catapult Construction __________ 10 points
Scientific Method Report __________ 10 points

English:
            Graphic Organizer                                __________                            2 points
            Introduction                                          __________                            2 points
            Body                                                    __________                            2 points
            Conclusion                                           __________                            2 points
            Grammar, punctuation & organization
                                                                        __________                            2 points
Reading:
            Journal:
            Point of view                                        __________                            4 points
            ½ page entry                                        __________                            2 points
            Developed content                                __________                            2 points
            Cover Design                                       __________                            2 points

Social Studies:
            Castle Layout                                       __________                            2 points
            Creation of Castle Flag             __________                            3 points
            Castle Template Construction __________                            5 points

Model:
Construction/Quality of Model __________ 20 points

TOTAL GRADE FOR CASTLE: ________________________________

To schedule a conference, please contact the
KSAT office at 650-1350 ext. 261