A Literature Approach to Medieval History [grades 7-12]

by Rea C. Berg

Beautiful Feet Books

Similar to Rea Berg’s other Literature Approach guides, this one begins with the era of the Magna Carta (about 1215) and continues up through the early seventeenth century in Elizabethan England. “Real” books are used as the basis of the study in conjunction with Rea’s Medieval History study guide.

This Guide offers a full year program for both junior and senior high level (grades 7-12), actually divided into two separate sections. Referred to for either level are Genevieve Foster’s The World of Columbus and Sons and The Story of Liberty by Charles Coffin. While these books serve as the background, other books are incorporated to focus more closely on different aspects and characters of the time period.

The Study Guide lessons (some requiring much more than a single day) concentrate on books such as Castle, Cathedral, Otto of the Silver Hand, and The World of Columbus and Sons for junior high, and Ivanhoe, Scottish Chiefs, Joan of Arc, Henry VIII, and Westward Ho! for senior high.

The Junior High Pack includes the guide and Beautiful Feet’s Medieval History Time Line, the aforementioned books plus Magna Carta, The Story of Liberty, The Door in the Wall, Adam of the Road, The Morning Star of the Reformation, Fine Print, The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day, In Freedom’s Cause, and The Canterbury Tales. The Medieval History Time Line is adds a hands-on/visual dimension to the course that helps students keep the people and events of the novels in historical context.

The Senior High Pack includes the study guide, the aforementioned books plus Magna Carta, The World of Columbus and Sons, The Story of Liberty, The Canterbury Tales, King John, Martin Luther, Marco Polo and the Medieval Explorers, and Men of Iron.

You could go through the study at junior high level, purchasing the Junior High Pack, then use it again for an older student, purchasing only the upgrade pack which has the books you still need.

[1998 edition]