Size of the Manor
Due to limited space in my classroom, it is important that each manor be no larger than 18 inches x 18 inches (72 inch perimeter) Anything larger than this will result in a loss of points. The base can be made of cardboard, foam board, or light plywood.
Parent Involvement
One of my favorite parts of this project is it has the potential to be a family project. It is wonderful to hear the kids come in and tell me the stories of working on this project with their parents. While this is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your child, it is important that your child be the main designer and builder of the castle. They are responsible for being able to tell me the parts of the castle and to describe the building process.
The students can make the main castle in class using a template and cereal boxes, or be creative and come up with their own. The main castle should not be larger than 8" by 11" (a piece of copy paper). They can bring this part of the castle home on the weekend to "jazz" it up.
There are two types of castles a student may chose to build.
A) Students trying to earn an "A" will need to construct a concentric castle. The concentric castle was an enclosure castle with an additional curtain wall built, in close proximity, around the entire enclosure. In a sense, the concentric castle consisted of "walls within walls", where the inner walls, gatehouses and towers were higher than the outer walls, gatehouses and towers. This was so that soldiers fighting from the higher set of walls could shoot at the enemy and avoid hitting their fellow soldiers standing on the lower, outer set of walls.
B) Traditional castle. The highest grade a student will earn building this castle is a "B". All required elements are the same as the "A" castle, but this castle will only have to have a single wall.
The students can make the main castle in class using a template and cereal boxes, or be creative and come up with their own. The main castle should not be larger than 8" by 11" (a piece of copy paper). They can bring this part of the castle home on the weekend to "jazz" it up.
There are two types of castles a student may chose to build.
A) Students trying to earn an "A" will need to construct a concentric castle. The concentric castle was an enclosure castle with an additional curtain wall built, in close proximity, around the entire enclosure. In a sense, the concentric castle consisted of "walls within walls", where the inner walls, gatehouses and towers were higher than the outer walls, gatehouses and towers. This was so that soldiers fighting from the higher set of walls could shoot at the enemy and avoid hitting their fellow soldiers standing on the lower, outer set of walls.
B) Traditional castle. The highest grade a student will earn building this castle is a "B". All required elements are the same as the "A" castle, but this castle will only have to have a single wall.
Grading of the Manor
This project is worth 100 points, so it can have a large impact on each student's grade. Each manor will be graded using the scoring guide that can be downloaded here. While there are castles that look like a professional designer built them, the castle made from a shoebox with all the correct parts identified has the same potential to earn an A. The level of participation shown in class is part of the final grade. If the castle is always at home being worked on, your child will have a hard time earning a passing grade for this project.
Required Elements
Each castle will need to have 20 identifiable parts. Twelve will be required, and the student may chose eight others to include. Half of the castle grade will come from the student being able to identify all 20 parts of the castle. The twelve required elements are:
- Bailey
- Drawbridge
- Great Hall
- Guard House
- Inner curtain (& Outer curtain if trying for an "A" or "Advanced" Grade)
- Keep (armory can be placed here and labeled as an additional item)
- Kitchen
- Merlons
- Moat
- Portcullis or Yett
- Postern
-Turret
Click here to access the terms guide the students and I will be using to grade the castles with.
- Bailey
- Drawbridge
- Great Hall
- Guard House
- Inner curtain (& Outer curtain if trying for an "A" or "Advanced" Grade)
- Keep (armory can be placed here and labeled as an additional item)
- Kitchen
- Merlons
- Moat
- Portcullis or Yett
- Postern
-Turret
Click here to access the terms guide the students and I will be using to grade the castles with.