The Knights in the Classroom are proud to offer a full-day, Junior division, cross curriculum Festival. This full day extravaganza allows teachers to customize the events to suit their school's individual needs and covers much more than just the social studies curriculum.

The Festival starts before the day our instructors arrive as teachers are requested to put students into teams to take part in the day's events. These teams can be named however you prefer. Teams can even create a banner to represent themselves (chart paper and a metre stick do a great job) if they wish. Student name tags (stickers) worn on the day of has proven to be an effective tool. 

During the full-day Festival four 1-hour workshops will be conducted with teams rotating through the different sessions. There are workshops that cover the grade 4, 5 and 6 curriculum, some covering more than one in a given session. Teachers chose however they please, covering whatever aspects of the curriculum that suits their needs and the needs of their students. The day is customized to fit your timetable and workshops can fluctuate in actual duration. After the 4 workshops have taken place the teams are brought to the gym and the culminating activity begins: the tournament! The tournament will feature a variety of activities based on the day's events and the workshops chosen. The day will end with a reenactment of a battle between our brave armoured warriors! It is sure to be a very memorable and exciting day of education and enlightenment.

Here are the workshops you can choose from. Please fill out the form below to receive a quote.

Mesopotamia
Description: A multimedia exploration of the first early society. This workshop will give students a chance to explore the pottery wheel via an interesting video, the invention of the wheel utilizing a tactile exercise as well as explore the Code of Hammurabi and cuneiform. 
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room, large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, physical education and reading. 
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.

Egypt
Description: This multimedia experience allows students to explore the ancient Egyptians in-depth. The workshop includes a video on the process of mummification as well as a chance for students to explore some of the Egyptian's most popular sports. 
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, physical education and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.

Ancient India
Description: This workshop goes in-depth and explores this early society utilizing multimedia elements as they explore Sanskrit, how they dressed as well as the invention of Yoga.
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, physical education and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.
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China
Description: This workshop details the birth of the Chinese society and covers in-depth, every aspect of the curriculum. It includes multimedia elements as well as tactile and physical activities exploring Tai-Chi and their early sporting events.
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or very large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, physical education and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up. 

Greece
Description: Known as the most advanced early society, this multimedia workshop explores this civilization in great detail including special elements on the creation of theatre and how Spartans were trained.
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, drama, physical education and reading. 
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.

Societies of the Mediterranean
Description: There are a collection of smaller societies that could not fill an hour long workshop but that still made an impact on history in a meaningful way. This multimedia and tactile workshop examines the Phoenicians, Hittites, Persians, Israelites, Etruscans and Nubian early societies and their contributions to ancient history.
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, physical education and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.

Mesoamerica
Description: Mesoamerica is made up of many early societies such as the Mayans, Incas and Aztecs. Using the curriculum this workshop explores their similarities, their differences and their impact on history. The workshop is presented in a multimedia format utilizing hands on elements as well as the opportunity to try some of their early sporting events.
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, health, physical education and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.

Rome
Description: Utilizing the curriculum guidelines, this multimedia workshop explores the Romans and helps students understand what makes them unique in the spectrum of early societies. It explores Latin and its influence on English as well as the Roman military formations in a physical education component.
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, physical education and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.

Japan
Description: This multimedia presentation delves deeply into the history of Japan including videos, art, activities and much more! 
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, visual arts, physical education and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Paper, pencils, pens, markers, etc. Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.
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Vikings
Description: Known for being one of the most advanced of the early societies, this workshop goes in-depth and explores this civilization covering all aspects of the curriculum. It includes multimedia elements as well as tactile and physical elements.  
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, physical education and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.

Barbarians of the Middle Ages
Description: This workshop covers the group of early societies that helped shape the western world. Including the Saxons, Celts, Franks and others and using the curriculum as focus, this workshop explores their similarities, their differences and their impact on history. The workshop is presented in a multimedia format utilizing hands on and physical education components.
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, physical education and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.

First Nations
Description: This workshop explores the native North Americans with a focus on those indigenous to Canada. A wide variety of tribes are discussed and this multimedia programme includes interactive components, videos, tactile elements as well as physical activities.
Ideal Space: Half gym, large classroom or drama room
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, physical education, media literacy and reading.
Workshop Requirements: Projector and screen or Smartboard set up.

​Time Measurement Devices
Description: How did society measure time before electricity or batteries? How was the first clock invented? How has it evolved over time? How does it relate to the calendar? These questions are answered in this fascinating workshop where students learn the history of time measurement and build their own measurement device using supplies provided. 
Ideal Space: Classroom.
Additional Curriculum Connections:  Mathematics, Science, Oral Communication.

​Singing & Sea Shanties
Description: Without electricity life is very different. Singing was a big part of everyday life, especially for those at sea. This workshop discusses the evolution of song, its various purposes and teaches students several sea shanties and even gives them the chance to do some group song writing! 
Ideal Space: Classroom, library or music room.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Music.

Cartography
Description: This is the first of its kind for the Knights in the Classroom. This session is a starting point in which students will begin a cartography activity. Teachers will be provided with a programme outline to follow up and continue with after our initial visit as well as with a rubric for culminating assessment. Students will design and create their own community maps based on set criteria involving the principles of map making. Students will extract and analyse information from various maps, read a coordinate grid system and become familiar with historic reasons for map making. 
Ideal Space: Classroom.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, visual arts, geography.
Workshop Requirements: pencils, pencil crayons, markers or crayons.

Fencing 101
Description: Students are provided with proper fencing equipment (jackets, gloves, masks, chest protectors and sabres) and trained in the basics of Olympic style fencing. Focus is on technique, safety protocols and footwork in this session. For schools that are interested, we also have half-day and full-day Fencing workshops available. This programme is sponsored by the Ontario Fencing Association who has provided us with wonderful, top quality equipment. 
Ideal Space: Half gym.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Physical education, science, mathematics. 
Please note: Long pants and proper running shoes are mandatory. A waiver must be signed for each participant. 

Historical Dance
Description: Dance has been a part of humanity dating back long before historical record. Dance was a part of every early society and for very different reasons. Many early societies had very distinct dance styles and the ability to dance could change a person's life in some cases. This workshop allows students to learn different historical dances from around the world. For teachers very keen on this subject, we also offer half-day and full-day dance experiences.
Ideal Space: Half gym, drama room or large empty classroom.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Dance. 

Ancient Sports & Games
Description: How old are the sports you play? When was soccer invented? Do you know what Kubb is? This workshop explores the types of games and sports played during ancient times with an emphasis on the different ways children entertained themselves and the origins of the sports we play today. 
Ideal Space: Half gym.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Physical education.  

Drumming From Around the World
Description: An examination of drumming throughout history and around the world: exploring its uses in work, warfare, rituals and entertainment. Students will learn to drum in various styles and have access to a variety of instruments. This is not a drumming circle and does not contain First Nations content. Please consider the noise of drumming when selecting this workshop location. ​
Ideal Space: Classroom or library.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Music.

Evolution of Arms and Armour *** New ***
Description: This workshop explores how humans developed arms and armour. How each evolved with the advancement of technology and science. Students get to try a number of ancient activities such as slinging, archery and shield formations.
Ideal Space: Half gym
Additional Curriculum Connections: Physical education.

Pirates: Facts & Fiction *** New ***
Description: Pirates have existed ever since humans have been seafaring. But most of our conceptions of piracy come from one source: Treasure Island! This workshop explores facts vs. fiction. We discuss what we know, why we know it and what harsh realities pirates actually endured. There are hands-on elements and our instructor will be dressed in accurate clothing from the golden age of piracy.  
Ideal Space: Classroom - chalkboard or whiteboard would be appreciated. 
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, reading.

Ancient Board Games *** New ***
Description: Humans have been playing games for thousands of years. How have they evolved over time? Why did we play them? How have they changed to inspire the games to today? This workshop has students learn the history of games and try some of the oldest games in human history from all over the world! 
Ideal Space: Classroom
Additional Curriculum Connections: Math, Literacy, Science, Learning Skills.

Ancient Jobs
Description: Jobs continue to change throughout history. Some jobs still exist, such as being a Cardinal or a Sheriff, a painter or a midwife. But many jobs have changed. This inquiry-based, tactile workshop will allow students to explore many amazing artifacts that pertained to specific jobs throughout history. 
Ideal Space: Classroom.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, reading.

The Art of the Court Jester
Description: This tactile workshop allows students to learn the various skills employed by fools and jesters throughout the world: juggling, balancing, tumbling, telling jokes and much more!
Ideal Space: Half gym or library.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Physical education, dance, drama.
Workshop Requirements: Access to gym equipment.
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The Mobile Museum (aka:That Was Then, This is Now)
Description: This session compares daily life now to back in ancient times especially from the perspective of a child. Little things kids take for granted as well as major life events will be explored in this tactile, artifact based, workshop. 
Ideal Space: Classroom or library.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, reading, media literacy. 
Workshop Requirements: Access to water. 

Behind the Shield: Life as a Roman Legionary
Description: This workshop will explore what it was like to be a Roman soldier and include discussion as well as a plethora of hands on components. Students will become Legionaries and learn discipline, determination and what it takes to survive in ancient Rome. Marching, shield formations and much more are included. 
Ideal Space: Half gym or large empty classroom/space. 
Additional Curriculum Connections: Physical education, character matters.
Workshop Requirements: Access to gym equipment. 

The Armoury
Description: This workshop is 100% tactile with students getting to explore armour and artifacts from various points in history. Students will learn how weapons and armour were developed during ancient times and connect with history as no museum would ever allow. 
Ideal Space: Classroom or library.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Science, math. 
Workshop Requirements: Tables to display artifacts.

Siege Weapons
Description: This workshop is 100% tactile with students getting to explore our custom made siege weapons and their historical significance. Students will get to build structures using boxes and then we will attempt to storm the battlements (knock them down) using math and science elements. 
Ideal Space: Half-gym. 
Additional Curriculum Connections: Science, math. 
Workshop Requirements: Boxes. As many as possible! Paper ream boxes have been very effective, but any will do.  

Watercolour 101
Description: This session explores the ancient art of watercolour painting conducted by an visual arts instructor (and artist) with over 40 years experience. Historical significance will be explored and students will create their own watercolour painting using proper equipment and supplies. 
Ideal Space: Classroom or library.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Literacy, visual arts. 
Workshop Requirements: Access to water. 
Please Note: This workshop comes with an extra cost to cover materials ($50). 

Puppetry
Description: Puppetry is a very ancient art form thought to have originated about 4000 years ago. Puppets have been used since the earliest times to animate and communicate the ideas and needs of human societies. This session will explore the uses of puppets, the art of puppeteering and have students creating stories of purpose using a variety of puppets and techniques. All equipment is provided. 
Ideal Space: Classroom or library.
Additional Curriculum Connections: Oral/visual communication, drama, character matters.