The term Barbarian does not describe one specific people group. It means outsider, or people who were foreigners to the main ruling countries (Greece, & later Rome). This included the Huns, Franks, Vandals, Saxons, and Goths, Visigoths. They were thought of as uncivilized and uncultured people. During the Barbarian invasions (also known as the Migration Period) from 400 - 800, these feared warriors conquered many lands including the Roman empire.
The Vandals' descendants later became known as the Vikings. Because they had to depend on the sea, the Vikings became expert boat builders who lived as traders and settlers. They launched ferocious attacks on Europe, looting and pillaging before returning to the sea.
___In class activities:
- Discussed the words barbarian and vandal and learned about their origin
- Thought about how foreign languages sound to those who don't speak the language and discussed the impact that lack of communication can have
- Built a Viking longboat
- Started creating a Medieval notebook
- Played the viking game Kubb
- Studied maps of the Barbarian homelands
- Discussed misconceptions about Vikings (they did not wear hats with horns)
- Watch a brief history of the dark ages - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV7CanyzhZg&list=PLy0B6ncmGtqcLNRmMA43e2cNFD2v5ZoF2&index=1
- Read Viking Ships at Sunrise (Magic Tree House #15) by Mary Pope Osborne (96p.)
- Read Adventures with the Vikings by Linda Bailey (48p.)
- Fun online Viking activities - www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/
- Learn about the martyrs - the Torchlighter videos are fantastic and they come with printable activities. For this week the ones covering Augustine and Perpetua are highly recommended. http://www.torchlighters.org
___
Assignment:
- Read history cards MA 3&4, and NT32
- Practice your timeline
