SS 8- 3D Castle Group Project- Sir King Bausback I

Introduction:During the middle ages, castles served many functions. The giant stone structure needed to house not only a noble and his family, but it must also house soldiers, government officials, and a multitude of servants. All the belongings for the noble family, its guests, servants, and army must be stored within the castle walls. Ultimately, though, the castle was a weapon of war. A castle was a major feature in a military’s defense. The structure provided many advantages in fending off enemies. The thick walls took the brunt of any attack by holding the enemy out while allowing an army to hide safely within it. Towers provided lookout posts so an enemy approach could be seen easily thus increasing a defenders time to prepare. A drawbridge, gatehouse, portcullis, and sets of heavy wood doors protected the entrance to the castle. Arrow loops protected archers from enemy arrows while catwalks and crenellations protected soldiers manning the outer walls.

Objective:Students will demonstrate their understanding of the castle in the 12th and 13th centuries as both a home and a weapon of war by building a model of their ideal castle. Students will work in a group of 2-4 students and construct their castle from any reasonable medium. Some examples include:

  • Lego or Duplo building blocks
  • Foam blocks (Sir Bausback’s example)
  • Sugar cubes
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Plastic containers
  • Modelling clay or play-dough
  • Plaster or sand
  • Wooden blocks or sticks
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Minecraft- Your own creation!
  • Other?

Your castle can be one of the 3 following models or types:

  • Motte & Bailey
  • Stone Keep
  • Concentric

Directions:Build a model castle similar to those built in the middle ages. Use the castle parameters below as a guide for what to include in your building.

Castle Parameters:

1.Size: Castles must be large enough to include all necessary parts, but not bigger than two people can carry

2.Construction & Materials: Castles can be constructed with whatever materials students have available to them. However, completely prefabricated kits are prohibited. (This means you may not go out and “buy” a completed castle or find a Minecraft creation.)

3.Necessary Castle Elements:

  1. Outer Wall-
  • Towers
  • Arrow Loops
  • Narrow windows
  • Crenels
  • Machicolations
  • Battlements
  1. Moat
  1. Gate House
  • Wooden doors
  • Portcullis
  • Murder Holes
  • Barbican
  1. Open Area:
  • Blacksmith
  • Peasant’s Homes
  • Blacksmith
  • Mill
  • Tannery
  • Church
  • Priest’s House
  • Manor House
  • Stable
  • Water Well
  • Animal Pen
  • 4 Field Farms
  1. Keep:
  • Tower
  • Inner Walls
  • Great Room
  • Living Quarters
  • Kitchen
  • Dungeon
  • Gardrobe

4.Working Parts: Castles must have a working drawbridge and portcullis. Any other working parts will add points to the project.

5.Building Plans: Provide a Blueprint Plan (or map) for the castle with labeled parts for all required elements and, especially, any added elements. (The plan should be a drawn, flat map of your castle that identifies the different parts.)Submitted by end of first research week.

6.Name: Give your castle a name (Winchester, Castleguard). Be sure to include the name at the top of your building plans and somewhere on the castle itself (perhaps an a flag or banner or Coat of Arms).

Grading Rubric:

Student: ______

Section / Description / Points possible / Pointed Earned
Basic Construction / Sturdy / transportable (0-5) / 0 – 5
Accuracy (0-10) / 0 – 10
Necessary Elements / All items listed included (0-25) / 0 – 25
Working Parts / Drawbridge can raise and lower (5) / 0 – 5
Portcullis can raise and lower (5) / 0 – 5
Building Plans / Name of project (5) / 0 – 5
Accuracy w/ model (10) / 0 – 10
Labels (10) / 0 – 10
Presentation / Tour explanation of castle / 0 – 25
2
Extra Points / Extra elements (1 point per)
Extra working elements (3 points per)
Total: / 0 – 100 +

Group Member Verification: In your own handwriting, please write the first and last name of each person who deserves credit for helping with this project.

Member #1 ______

Member #2 ______

Member #3 ______

Member #4 ______

Project Completion Date: ______

(This sheet must accompany your project (One for each member of your group). Please put your name above the grid.)

Castle Schedule

Class #1: Explore the parts of a castle and understand castle terminology. Write terms and definitions on paper.

Class #2: Finish castle terminology and research castle designs to start a rough draft sketch.

Class #3: Finish a rough draft castle design and start a Final Blueprint. Submit Final Blueprint plan.

Class # 4: Collect materials to assemble and build castle.

Class #5: Finish any part of the castle assembly including labelling all of the castle parts. Submit castle.

Reasearch:

Use the following websites to guide you through exploring the parts of a castle and what purpose each part served. Some of the sites also provide videos of how to construct a castle. Write the definition of each word on a sheet of paper and keep it next to the computer for your reference. Be sure you do not leave anything the Lord wants out (he is not a forgiving man), so review the list carefully!