Divide the students into groups and ask them to research historical castles. With large boxes, cardboard, glue, paint, Styrofoam and whatever else they need, have them recreate the basic castle design. If your room isn't large enough, have students recreate tabletop castles, including outer walls, on a Styrofoam base. With the smaller setting they can add plastic figures to the castle setting. Each group must explain how and why their castle is similar to and different from other castles.
Using poster board ask students to create a poster showing the different types of castles and why each type is different due to location or country of origin. Create a poster showing the development in time of castles from mud entrenchments to palaces. Show the different roles played by those who lived in the castles from blacksmiths to the lord and lady of the manor.
The signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 was a defining moment in the development of people-led governments, eventually leading to the founding of America and the signing of the United States Constitution. Have students trace the path of representative government from before the signing of the Magna Carta through the evolution of government including key Middle Ages documents, events and people. Create posters showing how key elements of the Magna Carta found their way into original United States documents.
Knights of the Middle Ages showed their prowess, not only in war, but in tournaments pitting one knight against another or one lord's soldiers against those of another lord. Recreate a tournament with jousts, games, food and music. Students take on roles of ladies, knights, lords and other people who assisted with the tournaments. Students can make armor and tall lady's hats from cardboard and material. Divide students into groups with each group responsible for researching and recreating a part of the event. One group provides food. Students involved in music, provide music and explain what instruments were used. Another group deals with costumes and another sets up jousts and games. On a smaller scale, each group prepares posters with information and illustrations to explain how their assignment added to the overall atmosphere of the tournament.
The Middle Ages spawned the Crusades, knights willing to travel far from home to retake the Holy Land for Christianity. Though they left with high ideals, the reality of the Crusades was very different. Have students trace the path of knights as they traveled to the Holy Land on the First Crusade. Research the distance traveled, the hardships and the average time away from home. List the different Crusades, date of the Crusades and the purpose of each. Include the ill-fated Children's Crusade.