Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.

Students experience being vassals and serfs.

Objective: To provide students with an experience of what the social strata of the Middle Ages were like.

Activity: The class is divided into a class system. Five students are designated as vassals. Each of them is given four serfs and a working area with art supplies and a strip of mural paper divided into five sections. Each group is to depict life in the Middle Ages, using a collection of pictures to assist them. Duties of vassal: Decide what goes in each section of mural and which serf must do each section. Oversee and guide work. Duties of serfs: Complete assigned section of mural. Help complete vassal's section. Share profits of labor (snacks provided by teacher) with vassal.

Assessment: Involvement of students in the experience and disgruntlement of serfs.