Mr. Roughton
History Mystery: The Black Death
Was the medieval Black Death the same disease as the modern bubonic plague? Your class members become the top investigators in the case, examining a variety of exhibits (i.e. disease descriptions, sample historical letter, map, etc.) in...
Curated OER
The Path of the Black Death
Students analyze maps, firsthand accounts, and archival documents to trace the path and aftermath of the Black Death. Connections between the plague and changes adopted by the ruling class are explored in this lesson.
Curated OER
Black Death Biology
Students in pairs explore the transmission of the Plague, through experimentation. Cooperative groups use the scientific method to solve the fictional problem of a bacteria spreading in the Amazon. Groups also create a vector to visually...
Curated OER
The Black Death and HIV/AIDS: Which is the Worse Plague?
Exploring the similarities and differences between the Black Death and HIV/AIDS, students write persuasive essays answering which is the "worse plague." This cross-curricular activity between Language Arts and Social Studies addresses...
Curated OER
The Black Death: 1347 - 1351
Grim and gruesome, the Black Death literally infects history with its social and political ramification. Your class will be positively agog over the details of the Plague, from its causes to its symptoms, and eventually to its grisly end...
Curated OER
The Fall of Rome and the Beginning of the Middle Ages
A major turning point in world history is the focus of this presentation. Rome has fallen, and with its descent comes the Dark Ages. With pictures, maps, and important information about the Middle Ages, this slideshow would be a great...
Curated OER
The Path of the Black Death
Learners are able to show on a map how the Black Death moved through Europe. They summarize the direct effects of the Black Death in Europe. Students cite evidence from firsthand accounts in developing an argument that connections can,...
Curated OER
British History
A very quick overview of nearly a millennium of British history, these slides present broad topics supported by photographs and small pieces of information. The end of the presentation prompts viewers to create a timeline based on the...
Curated OER
Black Death
Students examine the diseases of Europeans in Medieval times. In this plagues lesson students examine plagues of the past and some new modern ones.
Curated OER
Medieval Knight Life
Students research the Middle Ages. In this Middle Ages lesson, students complete lessons about feudalism, life on a manor, chivalry and knighthood, an activity about the Battle of Hastings, the growth of Middle Age towns, the trial by...
Curated OER
Black Death Word Search
In this word search worksheet, students read the 12 words in the word bank about the Black Death. Students locate the words in the word search puzzle.
Curated OER
The Black Death Epidemic of the 14th Century
Students examine the effects of the Black Death in the 14th century. Using the internet, they research the disease and its symptoms along with how communities were affected. In pairs, they read an article and answer comprehension...
Bibliomania
Bibliomania: Samuel Pepys
This site from Bibliomania.com provides biographical information on Samuel Pepys, one of the most prominent politicians of his time. Includes several links, including a link to the full text of his diary.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Path of the Black Death
The Black Death caused a radical alteration in population and dramatic changes in society. In this lesson, learners will analyze maps, documents, and firsthand accounts to trace the effects of the Black Death in Europe.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Medieval Sourcebook: Black Death Described by Giovanni Boccaccio 1348
A primary source describing the Plague or Black Death's symptoms, its transmission, and its affects on societies' behavior.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Past, Present and Future of the Bubonic Plague
The bubonic plague, which killed around 1/5 of the world's population in the 14th century, is still around today -- but it now claims only a few thousand lives each year. How did that number shrink drastically? This learning module...
Flow of History
Flow of History: The Black Death & Its Impact
The Black Death and its impact across Europe is profiled. Text plus a colored graphic flowchart make the topic visually appealing and of interest to both students and educators.
Brown University
Brown University: The Plague
Comprehensive coverage of the Plague includes discussion on its origins, causes, effects, and the Plague as Literary Motif. Of particular interest are the contemporary perspectives from writers during the time of the Plague.
Yale University
The Statute of Laborers King Edward Iii 1351
Original text of a law for controlling the wages and conditions for laborers (1351). King Edward III's law prevented laborers from demanding more wages after the Black Death caused a labor shortage.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control: Plague Information
Find out all about plagues on the website by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
OpenStax
Open Stax: Europe on the Brink of Change
From a chapter on "The Americas, Europe, and Africa Before 1492," this section describes the European societies that engaged in conversion, conquest, and commerce and discusses the motives for and mechanisms of early European exploration.
Stanford University
Stanford History Education Group: Understanding the Black Death
[Free Registration/Login Required] Lesson in which learners compare two primary source documents to investigate how people experienced or understood the plague in 1348. Inlcudes lesson plan, PowerPoint, and original documents.
BBC
Bbc: Week of 5 12 14: Black Death Skeletons Giive Up Secrets of Life and Death
We now know more than ever about the plague, or Black Death. Read about the most recent discoveries.
BBC
Bbc: The Story of Africa: Islam
This BBC series site charts the growth of Islam in Africa until the 1880s.