The Black Plague

The Plague

The advent of AIDS, flesh-eating bacteria and the Ebola virus in recent years has brought back to mind the occurrence of the fourteenth-century "Black Plague". Journey through the following web sites to investigate the Black Plague, the causes of the Plague and its effects. Be sure to keep track of all assignments. Due dates will be announced in class.

Unit Goals: Click on the following links to view the unit objectives and sunshine state standards addressed,
Language Arts Standards
History Standards
Science Standards

Internet Resources on The Plague

1. The Black Death: Western and Central Europe Chronology
A simple and concise summary of the Plague in Europe. Read this site first! How did the Plague effect religion and art? To prepare yourself for discussion, note and think about the Plague's origins, effects, and consequences as you read.

2. The Black Death: Bubonic Plague
Created by a high school student, Aaron Rice, this site has some interesting background information about the plague. There are many interesting links on this page. What does Rice need to do to make this site more accurate?

3. Discovery.com: Follow the Black Plague

Follow the linked flea or go to Discovery.com and type "black death" into the search window. Then click on the link titled Discovery Channel :: Moments in Time :: Black Death You will then be taken through a flash presentation about the Bubonic Plague.

English Assignment: Keep a personal dictionary of new and unknown words for the class to define. Use this handy personal dictionary form to record your words!

History Assignment: (S.S. A. 2.4.7) Read and then answer the following: What were the causes of the Black Death and why did it spread so quickly. Where was it most virulent? What were its effects on European society? How important do you think disease is in changing the course of history?

Science Assignment: As a physician in Europe during the outbreak of the Bubonic Plague, what symptoms would you look for to determine if someone had contracted the disease? Record you answer in you science notebook or on a separate sheet of paper.

4. Medieval Sourcebook: Boccaccio: The Decameron - Introduction
Get a feel for medieval writing, and check out Boccaccio's account of the plague.

English Assignment: Read the first three paragraphs of Boccaccio's writing. Note new and unknown words in your academic journal. Though you may not know all the words, try to determine what the main ideas are of the first three paragraphs. List what you think they are and give a reason for your thinking.

History Assignment: (S.S. A. 1.4.3) Based upon what you have read in this article as well as what you know about medical procedures and sanitary conditions today, evaluate Boccaccio's account of this plague and the physician's attempt to treat the disease.

Science Assignment: According to Boccaccio, in what ways did the people try to avoid the Plague?

5. The Black Death
A well organized site that details the Plague's origins and effects as well as it's course across Europe!

English Assignment: Imagine that you are a medieval student. You have barely survived an outbreak of the plague. Write a letter to a person[s] that you care about or a journal/diary entry that tells in detail what you have seen and read about the consequences and responses to the plague.

History Assignment: (S.S. A. 1.4.2)

Science Assignment: Design a brochure that educates the people about the approaching Black Death.

6. Major European Trade Routes
Visit this map of major trade routes and consider the following question from the site:
Does this map indicate why cities might have suffered more than the countryside?

English Assignment: FCAT Writing Practice
You will have 45 minutes in class to complete the following persuasive essay.
Many people prefer living in the city over living in the countryside.
If you were a medieval citizen living during the time of the plague, where would you prefer to live?
Now write as a medieval citizen to persuade the people to live where you would prefer to live (city or country).

History Assignment: (S.S. B. 2.4.2) Design a map of Europe showing the spread of the plague year by year.

Science Assignment: Trace the spread of the Bubonic Plague into Europe.

7. The Role of Trade in Transmitting the Black Death
Check out these TED case studies about trade and the plague. There aren't many pictures here, but wow, the description of the plague(s) will turn even the heartiest of stomachs!

English Assignment: Illustrate one passage from your reading. Be sure to use colors for your illustration. Add to your personal dictionary as needed.

History Assignment: (S.S. A. 1.4.4) What factors led tot he spread of the Plague? What disease today may spread like the Plague of the Middle Ages? How are they similar and how are they different?

Science Assignment: Compare and contrast the causes, symptoms and effects of the plagues prevalent in Europe during the 14th century.

8. The Black Plague Simulation Game
What are your odds of contracting and spreading the Plague? Read over the directions for the Plague simulation and be prepared for the PLAGUE! Print out the map and print or take notes on other materials you will need for the simulation.

English Assignment: (from the site): After you have been traveling through a each new country for a while, and before you die, think of a "postcard" you can write back to your home, talking about your journey. If you contracted plague or there are plague warnings, note these in the postcard. Use the information sheets for more information on the town you have chosen. After the game is over, send a postcard back to your home town telling about your journey, by turning it in to the teacher (or sharing in a discussion).

History Assignment: Complete the game and then reflect why some people contract the disease and why others do not. What impact do disasters like Plagues have on society? Why do they reoccur in history?

Science Assignment: Complete the journey/game using the materials provided in class (if not completed in history). Keep a log of your experiences along the way. Conclude with a reflection of your trip.

Print Sources:
Want to read about the Plague? According to Sunlink, these books can be found in the University High School library!

Giblin, James. When plague strikes : the Black Death, smallpox, AIDS. New York : HarperCollins, 1995.
Call Number: 614.4 Gib

Bell, Walter George. The Great plague in London in 1665. New York : AMS Press, 1994.
Call Number: HS 614.573 Bel

Roden, Katie. Plague. Brookfield, CT : Copper Beech Books, 1996.
Call Number: HS 616.9 Rod

Other Books:

Benson, Anne. The Plague Tales. New York, NY: Dell Publishing Co., 1998.

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