Dear Middle School Families,
The class continues to work on demonstrating the skills and traits to earn the title of Knight before the ceremony this coming Friday. Several of the students were promoted to Squire this past week, showing great responsibility with their goals, and several more this week were promoted as well! Way to go!
This week, the class did a deep look into castles and cathedrals and how they rose during the Middle Ages. Initially, castles were built as protection from the invading Vikings, and these invasions continued to shape the structure of life in the Middle Ages. In hearing about innovation in architecture, the class saw how thinner walls allowed for larger windows, and the prevalence of large stained glass windows in cathedrals began to grow. Students worked on their own stained glass windows, realizing how painstaking and intricate the process can be (what a lovely parallel to how stained glass really is created). The final product is a sight to behold! While working, the students listened to the biographies of Charlemagne and Haroun Al-Rashid, which serves as a lovely bridge to learning about the Silk Road when we return from Fall Break.
Additionally, the class was thrilled to get back into the Woodworking tent this past week to make their shields for the Knighting ceremony on Friday. They were all so joyful sanding and prepping the wood. We learned about Heraldic Shields and that since the majority of the population could not read during the Middle Ages, a Knight’s coat of arms was essential for identification in battle. Each Ordinary, Charger, and Symbol on the shield held its own significance and was often passed down the family line.
We look forward to rounding out the first weeks of school with a Medieval Feast, an epic game of Middle Ages Capture the Flag complete with swords and shields (the game Capture the Flag was invented in the Middle Ages), a jousting match, and capping it off with our Knighting Ceremony on Friday.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Fall Break next week, and we’ll see you in October!
Announcements and Reminders for Sixth & Seventh Grade:
On Thursday, please wear sneakers for running. Students are welcome to wear clothing inspired by the Medieval Ages for the lunch feast. We will have beef stew and trenchers (bread bowls). Please bring a snack and water bottle, and if they would like something small to supplement their “feast” they are welcome to bring it.
On Friday, please wear fiery colors (red, orange, gold, yellow).
If you know of any small business owners who would be interested in coming into the class after Fall Break to talk about their experience running a small business, please let me know!
Please sign up for a conference slot here.
Thank you for the honor of teaching your children,
Ki Lesley
