In this activity, students will compare and contrast food preparation and dining in medieval times to present day. Students will use a T-Chart with one side for a medieval feast, and the other for present day.
For example:
"There were no forks, but napkins were provided. They shared goblets of wine, and between courses the Ewerer appeared with water for them to wash their fingers."
We use forks, knives, spoons, and other utensils to eat. If we want to wash our hands we do so in a sink.
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Student Instructions
Create a T Chart comparing and contrasting eating and food preparation in medieval times with the present day.
Boost engagement and deepen understanding by bringing in real historical materials for students to analyze. This helps students make authentic connections to the past and enhances critical thinking skills.
Find short texts, images, or videos that show what eating was like in both eras. Choose resources that are easy to read and relate directly to your T-Chart topics.
Encourage students to look closely at the materials and point out differences and similarities in food, utensils, and dining habits. Use guiding questions to prompt thoughtful observations.
Ask students to record new details they discovered from the primary sources on their T-Chart. This enriches their comparisons and helps them practice using evidence.
Lead a brief whole-class conversation where students share what surprised them or stood out. This reinforces learning and builds oral communication skills.
Start by creating a T-Chart with columns labeled Medieval Times and Present Day. Guide students to list differences and similarities in food preparation, serving methods, and utensils. Use visual aids and examples to help students understand each era's unique customs.
A T-Chart is a graphic organizer with two columns that helps students visually compare two topics. In compare and contrast lessons, it allows students to organize similarities and differences side by side, making analysis clearer and more engaging.
Medieval feasts often lacked forks, used shared goblets, and included finger washing between courses, while present-day meals use individual utensils and sinks for handwashing. Food preparation and serving styles have also modernized significantly.
In medieval times, food was often roasted over open fires and served in large communal dishes, while present-day cooking uses stoves, ovens, and individual plates. The approach to hygiene and serving has also evolved.
Use T-Charts, role-play, or drawing scenes from each era. Have students describe or illustrate how people ate, prepared food, and celebrated in both medieval and modern times to deepen understanding.