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 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
Bubonic Plague
Students play Ring Around the Rosie, and learn what it means, also learning what time period it was from. In this Bubonic Plaque lesson plan, students answer discussion questions in small groups, then complete research to further...
Curated OER
The Bubonic Plague Student Worksheet
In this Medieval Era worksheet, students read a 1-page selection about Bubonic Plague as well as Internet articles about the topic and then respond to 10 short answer questions.
Council for Economic Education
Wages and the Black Death
While the Black Death wiped out a third of Europe's population during the Middle Ages, its destruction paved the way for better wages for workers and even an early form of modern capitalism. The relationship between the cataclysmic...
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
The Odds of Dying During a Plague
Sixth graders explore plagues in the middle ages. In this social studies lesson plan, 6th graders examine the impact of deadly plagues on past societies and how the governments were forced to make drastic changes in response to the plagues
Curated OER
The Great Plague of 1665
In this Great Plague of 1665 worksheet, students read several passages about the Bubonic Plague. Students learn its origin and how it spread.
Cave Creek Unified School District
Crusades and Culture in the Middle Ages
The Crusades sounds like a glamorous time period in the Middle Ages full of glory—but was it? Scholars find and review the truth of the Crusades' influence on the world through the resource. The study guides, separated individually by...
Curated OER
Role Playing the Plague
Students investigate the impact of the plague. In this European history activity, students listen to their instructors present information regarding the black death and then write letters regarding the plague from the perspective of...
Curated OER
Plague Doctor Word Search
In this word search worksheet, students study the words related to the plague. Students locate the 21 words within the word search puzzle.
Curated OER
The Path of the Black Death
Students 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
Great Plague 1665 Word Search
In this word search worksheet, students review the words related to the Great Plague of 1665 and then locate the 15 words within the word search puzzle.
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
Social Studies: Factors Involved in the Spread of Disease
Students examine the reasons diseases become epidemics. they analyze the social, political, and economics factors involved in the process. Students complete charts explaining how these factors aid the spread of disease and discuss...
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
High schoolers 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...
Curated OER
I Wonder What Other Dangerous Diseases Insects Spread...
Students use the internet to research diseases spread by insects. They create a brochure using the information they gathered. They present their project to the class.
Curated OER
The Middle Ages Gazette
Seventh graders research and obtain information about topics from the Middle Ages and write news reports that be compiled into a Gazette or newsletter. The reports can be on feudalism, castles, jousts and tournaments and/or the Crusades.
Curated OER
Medicine Through Time
In this medicine in history instructional activity, students read through the questions about the history of medicine. Students give short answers to the 18 questions.
National First Ladies' Library
Pandemics: The Swine Flu of 1918
Students study pandemics through the investigational research of the 1918 swine flu. They apply the information by choosing a current virus and role-playing a member of the Centers of Disease Control (CDC).
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...
Stanford University
Stanford History Education Group: Understanding the Black Death
[Free Registration/Login Required] Lesson in which students compare two primary source documents to investigate how people experienced or understood the plague in 1348. Inlcudes lesson plan, PowerPoint, and original documents.
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, students will analyze maps, documents, and firsthand accounts to trace the effects of the Black Death in Europe.