Royal Rat Report

The Black Death was one of the worst natural disasters in history. In 1347 A.D., a great plague swept over Europe and ravaged cities, causing widespread hysteria and death. One third of the population of Europe died. "The impact upon the future of England was greater than upon any other European country." (Cartwright, 1991)

To: Western Civ Students

From: King Edward III

CC: Western Civ Teachers

Date: Sometime in the 14^th century

Re: Help me handle the Black Death!

Dear Western Civ Students,

Word has spread that you are very capable students of history. I saw the list of important questions that you brainstormed, so I have high hopes for your ability to help me. I am hoping that you can assist me in confronting the crisis that is facing my kingdom—people are dying like crazy and I don’t know what to do.

I need some information and advice from you. Let me detail the items with which I’m hoping you can help:

· Choose at least 15 key questions from your list and provide me with research notes about what you have discovered. I expect to see all answers you have found, as well as your decisions about what is MOST important to tell me.

In addition, please provide the following information to me in a clearly organized memo so that I can act quickly. Your memo must include:

· An introductory paragraph that includes your qualifications and a fact-supported explanation of who or what is being unfairly blamed for this disease (there seems to be some misinformation floating around my kingdom on this matter and I’d like to dispel it). I will also need a scientifically fact-supported explanation of what really causes this disease.

· At least two body paragraphs that provide me with IMPORTANT details about what has happened throughout Europe and what may be happening in my country. Each body paragraph should stick to one main idea (economic issues, social/cultural issues, scientific/medical issues, or political issues).

· A concluding paragraph that includes at least two suggestions about what I should do to handle the craziness in my country. I need your best creative and strategic thinking here because I have no idea what to do!

I am so grateful for your help that I will make sure your teacher gives you credit for your hard work over the next week or so. See the rubric below to ensure that you get all possible 55 points.

Thank you very much,

King Edward III of England

Note: Here are the pages on which you can take your notes

CATEGORY				Points Earned
Research Notes (to be graded individually, not as a group)	15 - Student provided thorough research notes answering at least 10 IMPORTANT questions. Notes include information that will be useful in writing memo to the king AND student	10 - Research information is of questionable usefulness in writing memo to the king.	7 - Research notes are too brief and don't appear to be thoughtful.
Introductory Paragraph	5 - The memo accurately describes the scientific causes of the Black Death and explains who was wrongfully blamed for the disease.		3 - The memo accurately describes EITHER the causes of the disease OR who was wrongfully blamed for the disease.
Body Paragraphs	20 - The author discusses at least three IMPORTANT DETAILS with the King from at least two categories (for a minimum total of six details), in addition to scientific accuracy requirements. Each paragraph: - has a clear topic sentence, - discusses specific details that support the topic sentence, - has a concluding sentence, - uses transitions to make the paragraph flow logically. In addition, the paragraphs contain minimal spelling/ grammatical errors.	15 - The author discusses three IMPORTANT DETAILS with the King from at least two categories, but paragraph organization does not meet expectations.	12 - The author does not meet threshold for IMPORTANT DETAILS requirement.
Concluding Paragraph	10 - The memo includes at least two reasonable and original suggestions to the King, which are discussed in enough detail that the king could take action quickly. The suggestions are clearly prioritized. The suggestions flow logically from the information the author has decided to share with the King.	8 - Suggestions to the king were expressed relatively clearly, but were not prioritized for quick action.	6 - Suggestions to the king were not clearly explained AND/OR suggestions to the king were not reasonable.
Group Dynamics	5 - Students in the group were always on task and evenly split up the work.	4 - Students in the group were generally on task and most work was divided evenly.	ANY STUDENT WHO IS FREE-RIDING (NOT MAKING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIS/HER GROUP) WILL RECEIVE ZERO CREDIT FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT.
Timeliness	Five points will be deducted from assignment grade for every day that completed assignment is late.

printable version of the rubric (Excel file)