The Legacy of Charlemagne: A High School Exploration

The Legacy of Charlemagne: A High School Exploration

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will understand the impact of Charlemagne on European history and culture.

What do you already know about Charlemagne?

Introduction to Charlemagne

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was a medieval emperor who united much of Western Europe and laid the foundations for the Carolingian Renaissance.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Born in 742, Charlemagne became King of the Franks in 768 and expanded his rule to become the first Holy Roman Emperor in 800.

Charlemagne's Rule

During his reign, Charlemagne promoted education, art, and architecture, and his empire became a center of learning and culture.

The Carolingian Renaissance

The Carolingian Renaissance saw a revival of learning and the arts, with a focus on preserving and copying ancient texts.

Legacy of Charlemagne

Charlemagne's legacy includes the unification of much of Western Europe, the promotion of education, and the spread of Christianity.

Interactive Discussion

In small groups, discuss the impact of Charlemagne's rule and the significance of the Carolingian Renaissance.

Quiz Time!

Test your knowledge with a short quiz on Charlemagne and his legacy.

Reflection and Conclusion

Reflect on what you've learned about Charlemagne and share your thoughts on his historical significance.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.