Lesson 1: Introduction

Objective:
Students will understand the significance of the Domesday Book and how it was used.

Materials:
-PowerPoint presentation
-Internet access

Length: 45 minutes

Activities
-Start discussion on the power and authority of the Medieval Monarchy in England
-Introduce the Domesday Book and explain what it was
-Discuss its importance as a record of land and property ownership throughout the country
-View a PowerPoint presentation on the Domesday Book, including information on its history and purpose
-Allow students time to research and discuss the contents of the Domesday Book

Lesson 2: Hands-on Activity

Objective:
Students will practice being scribes and re-create excerpts from the Domesday Book.

Materials:
-Whiteboard
-Textbook excerpts of the Domesday Book
-Handouts of text excerpts
-Copy paper

Length: 45 minutes

Activities
-Review the history of the Domesday Book
-Explain the process of recording land and property records in the Domesday Book
-Divide the class into two groups and hand out excerpts from the text to each group
-On the whiteboard, write down a sentence from the text
-Divide the sentence in groups of two/three and have each group write the sentence down on paper
-Once complete, check the sentences for accuracy
-Repeat with different sentences from the text
-Discuss how accuracy is fundamental for recording information

Lesson 3: Analysis

Objective:
Students will analyze and understand how people were taxed and how much land was assigned to different categories of people

Materials:
-Worksheets
-Articles
-Maps

Length: 45 minutes

Activities
-Introduce the different groups of people in Medieval England
-Discuss the ranking of power among feudal lords and peasants
-Explain how taxes were assessed in this period
-Hand out worksheets with articles, maps, and excerpts from the Domesday Book
-Allow students time to work individually to analyze and answer the questions
-When complete, as a class review the answers
-Discuss how the Domesday Book provides information about Medieval England

Lesson 4: Assessments

Objective:
Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the Domesday Book by creating a timeline of its creation and purpose.

Materials:
-Textbook
-Timeline worksheet
-Markers/colored pencils

Length: 30 minutes

Activities
-Briefly review the history of the Domesday Book
-Pass out the timeline worksheet and markers/colored pencils
-Instruct students to fill out the timeline on the worksheet
-Once complete, allow time for students to present their timeline in front of the class
-Discuss how the Domesday Book has shaped how people were taxed and how power was structured in Medieval England