Tivoraly
Editable project template

Build a Medieval Castle

Investigate castle defences, then build one and test whether it could hold out under siege.

Your mission

Build a castle that could defend a village — and prove your defences work.

Learning goals

  • • Explain how castle features solved real problems
  • • Use shapes and measurement in a build
  • • Test and improve a structure

You'll need

  • • Cardboard
  • • Tape
  • • Scissors
  • • Paint

Optional: Camera or tablet for photos of your work

  • Adult help with cutting thick cardboard.

Project stages

0/6 tasks

Discover

~30 min

Find out what you already know and gather ideas before you start building.

  • Castle detective

    Find out what a moat, keep, portcullis and arrow slit were for.

    ~30 min · Parent guidance: Check in at the end of the task and talk it through together.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your discover work and explain why you chose it.

Plan

~25 min

Turn your ideas into a plan you can actually follow.

  • Draw your castle

    Sketch your castle from above and from the side, labelling each defence.

    ~25 min · Parent guidance: Check in at the end of the task and talk it through together.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your plan work and explain why you chose it.

Create

~75 min

Make the main part of your project.

  • Build it

    Construct your castle from cardboard and craft materials.

    ~75 min · Parent guidance: Stay nearby for set-up, then let your learner lead.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your create work and explain why you chose it.

Test

~20 min

Try it out and see what works.

  • Siege test

    Test the strength of your walls and towers with a gentle push test.

    ~20 min · Parent guidance: Stay nearby for set-up, then let your learner lead.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your test work and explain why you chose it.

Improve

~20 min

Use what you learned to make it better.

  • Reinforce

    Strengthen the weakest part of your castle.

    ~20 min · Parent guidance: Check in at the end of the task and talk it through together.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your improve work and explain why you chose it.

Present

~20 min

Share your work with your family or group.

  • Royal tour

    Show your castle and explain every defence.

    ~20 min · Parent guidance: Check in at the end of the task and talk it through together.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your present work and explain why you chose it.

Australian Curriculum links

Humanities and Social Sciences · Inquiry and skills

Learners apply Humanities and Social Sciences skills while planning, making and presenting "Build a Medieval Castle".

Editorial mapping pending verification

Technologies · Inquiry and skills

Learners apply Technologies skills while planning, making and presenting "Build a Medieval Castle".

Editorial mapping pending verification

Mathematics · Measurement and Space

Learners apply Mathematics skills while planning, making and presenting "Build a Medieval Castle".

Editorial mapping pending verification

The Arts · Inquiry and skills

Learners apply The Arts skills while planning, making and presenting "Build a Medieval Castle".

Editorial mapping pending verification

Curriculum links are editorial suggestions only. Tivoraly is not endorsed by or affiliated with ACARA.

Reflection

  • • What part of this project are you most proud of?
  • • What was tricky, and how did you work it out?
  • • What would you change if you did it again?
  • • What is one new thing you can now explain to someone else?

Completion checklist

  • ☐ All stages marked complete
  • ☐ Final product finished
  • ☐ Evidence uploaded (photo, writing, audio or video)
  • ☐ Reflection questions answered
  • ☐ Presented to family or group
  • ☐ Parent review complete