Medieval Bulletin Board Ideas

• Bulletin boards provide a visual representation of ideas the teacher wants to emphasize. medieval castle1 image by jcpjr from Fotolia.com

  Medieval history spans the years from 476 A.D. to 1453 A.D. The term refers to European history, rather than history as a whole. Life during this period includes many changes in thinking and inventions. Bulletin boards can provide some visual assistance by reminding students of the most important changes and advances.

Time Line

• A time line is a helpful way to follow the progression of ideas or events over a defined period of time. A time line can include the major kings and queens from each country during the period, and how they were related. Another time line might list the great artists of the time and the type of art they created. A third time line can cover the major inventions and inventors of the time. A fourth time line could span the changes in rational and religious thought.

Medieval Art

• Prints of some famous medieval art give students a feel for the kinds of art produced during the medieval period. Art can be classified by type. The Eastern Orthodox Church supported and paid for much of the art in the early part of the Middle Ages and many of the artists were monks and church officials. Decorative art filled the borders and insets of illuminated manuscripts. Students could try their hand at creating pages like those in the illuminated manuscripts and the teacher can display the pieces on the bulletin board.

The Crusades

• The First Crusade began in 1095 and ended in 1291 when the last Syrian post was abandoned. A bulletin board project could map the nine individual crusades and the events that were important to each one. Famous crusaders could take their places on a time line, along with the various orders of religious nights. Students could also look at how the crusades affected the life of the peasants, the ruling class and the merchants. Bulletin boards might also picture the various weapons and arms used by the Crusaders. Standards and heraldic pennants could adorn a bulletin board, identifying famous warriors, religious orders and medieval rulers.

The Papacy

• Although the Roman Empire no longer existed as a ruling entity, the Church still held sway over much of medieval life. A bulletin board could portray how the Church affected the lives of both the peasants and the rulers. A listing of major popes and their rulings would provide a backdrop for many aspects of medieval life.

Peasant Life

• Pictures of common medieval clothing, home styles and furnishings could help students imagine how life progressed during this time period. Common field implements could depict how hard the agrarian life style was on the peasants. Pictures should also include how the peasants celebrated life and their traditions.