Medieval History is a full-year, literature-rich and activity-based history course designed primarily for students in grades 6–8. The course takes students from the fall of the Western Roman Empire through the Scientific Revolution, Age of Exploration, and Enlightenment.

Throughout eight units, students explore major civilizations, cultures, belief systems, governments, economic systems, historical figures, and ideas that shaped the medieval and early modern world.

The course was written around the C3 Framework for Grades 6–8 and the California Grade 7 History–Social Science Standards, providing a strong standards-based foundation while allowing students to experience history through books, critical thinking, maps, games, research, writing, and hands-on activities.

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C3 Framework Alignment

Grades 6–8

The C3 Framework (College, Career, and Civic Life Framework for Social Studies State Standards) emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, evidence, and the application of social studies concepts rather than simply memorizing historical facts.

Medieval History incorporates these skills throughout the course as students investigate historical questions, compare civilizations, analyze cause and effect, explore geography, evaluate historical developments, and communicate what they have learned.

What C3 Areas Does Medieval History Cover?

Across the course, students work within all four dimensions of the C3 Framework:

Dimension 1: Developing Questions & Planning Inquiries

Every lesson includes a critical-thinking question designed to encourage students to think more deeply about history rather than simply recall information. Students are also given opportunities to pursue their own questions through independent research and optional "Rabbit Trail" days.

Questions ask students to consider topics such as why civilizations changed, which historical developments had the greatest impact, how geography influenced societies, and how ideas from the past continue to affect the modern world.

Dimension 2: Applying Disciplinary Concepts & Tools

Students explore history through multiple social studies disciplines:

• History: chronology, cause and effect, continuity and change, historical significance, perspectives, and connections between events.
• Geography: maps, physical geography, trade routes, migration, settlement, natural resources, and the relationship between people and their environments.
• Civics: laws, leadership, government systems, citizenship, limits on government power, and the development of democratic ideas.
• Economics: trade, resources, markets, economic systems, cultural exchange, and the movement of goods and ideas.

For example, students examine Justinian's Code, compare systems of government and social organization, investigate trans-Saharan and Silk Road trade, study the Magna Carta, and trace Enlightenment ideas into later democratic governments.

Dimension 3: Evaluating Sources & Using Evidence

Students encounter history through informational readings, maps, historical documents and ideas, videos, literature, timelines, research activities, and other sources.

Activities encourage students to gather information, compare evidence, make historical connections, and use what they have learned to support conclusions. Research-based activities are also incorporated throughout the course, including opportunities to investigate historical people and topics independently.

Dimension 4: Communicating Conclusions & Taking Informed Action

Students communicate their understanding in many different ways rather than relying exclusively on traditional worksheets or tests.

Depending on the unit, students may write arguments, complete comparison charts, create maps, build timelines, participate in simulations and games, complete research projects, respond to historical questions, or create hands-on projects.

For example, the Medieval Africa unit asks students to research and compare Sundiata Keita and Mansa Musa and write an opinion supported by historical facts about which kingdom was most influential.

View the Complete C3 Alignment

For a detailed look at which C3 indicators are addressed within each unit:

Download the Medieval History C3 Framework Standards Alignment

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California Standards Alignment

Grade 7 History–Social Science

Medieval History was written around the California Grade 7 History–Social Science Standards and covers the state's major content areas from the decline of Rome through the Enlightenment.

The course addresses standards 7.1 through 7.11 across its eight units.

7.1 – The Fall of Rome & Byzantine Empire

Unit 1 examines the strengths and contributions of Ancient Rome, causes of Rome's decline, the geography and division of the Roman Empire, Constantine and Constantinople, the development of the Byzantine Empire, Justinian and his legal code, and the development of Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christianity.

Standards addressed: 7.1.1–7.1.3

7.2 – The Rise of Islam

Unit 2 explores the geography of the Arabian Peninsula, Muhammad and the origins of Islam, the Qur'an and Islamic beliefs, the expansion of Muslim civilizations, trade and cultural exchange, and scientific and cultural achievements of the Islamic world.

Standards addressed: 7.2.1–7.2.6

7.3 & 7.5 – Medieval China, Korea & Japan

Unit 3 examines the Tang and Song dynasties, the spread of Buddhism, Chinese inventions and trade, the Silk Road, Mongol invasions and Kublai Khan, Korea, feudal Japan, samurai culture, Shinto, and Zen Buddhism.

Standards addressed: 7.3.1–7.3.5 and 7.5.1–7.5.4

7.4 – Medieval Africa

Unit 4 explores the geography of Africa, the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, trans-Saharan trade, Mansa Musa, and African art, architecture, and oral traditions.

Standards addressed: 7.4.1–7.4.5

7.6 – Medieval Europe

Unit 5 examines feudalism and manorialism, the role of the Catholic Church, castles, knights and peasants, the Magna Carta, the Crusades, and the growth of medieval towns and universities.

Students also explore major people and events including Charlemagne, Thomas Becket, the Black Death, and the changing political and social structures of medieval Europe.

Standards addressed: 7.6.1–7.6.5

7.7 – The Americas Before European Contact

Unit 6 explores the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations, including geography and agriculture, religion, architecture, scientific and mathematical achievements, daily life, and social structures.

Students compare the three civilizations and examine how each adapted to its environment and developed complex societies.

Standards addressed: 7.7.1–7.7.4

7.8 & 7.9 – Renaissance & Reformation

Unit 7 examines Renaissance humanism and classical learning, Renaissance art and inventions, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, Gutenberg and the printing press, Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation, and Protestant and Catholic reforms.

Standards addressed: 7.8.1–7.8.5 and 7.9.1–7.9.4

7.10 & 7.11 – Scientific Revolution, Exploration & Enlightenment

Unit 8 explores scientific discoveries and inventions, Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, the scientific method, European exploration, the Columbian Exchange, mercantilism and capitalism, Enlightenment thinkers, and the development of democratic ideas and documents.

Students finish the course by making connections between Enlightenment ideas and later systems of representative government.

Standards addressed: 7.10.1–7.10.3 and 7.11.1–7.11.6

View the Complete California Standards Alignment

For a simple unit-by-unit chart showing where each California standard is addressed:

Download the Medieval History California Standards Alignment Here

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A Standards-Aligned Approach That Still Leaves Room for Curiosity

Standards alignment doesn't mean history has to feel like a checklist.

Medieval History was designed to give students a strong understanding of the people, places, events, and ideas outlined in the standards while still leaving room for literature, hands-on learning, discussion, independent research, and curiosity.

Students are encouraged to explore topics that interest them, choose from recommended books, respond to critical-thinking questions, and use lighter review days to dive deeper into people or events they want to learn more about.

If you're using Medieval History through a charter school or need standards documentation for your homeschool records, you can download either alignment chart above for easy reference.