Chronicles in Stone: Architecture and Art History of the Medieval World

Architecture and Art History for Middle School and above

Embark on a journey through churches, castles, and cathedrals with Chronicles in Stone, a 33-week study of medieval architecture and art history designed for middle school and up. This richly structured guide explores the built and visual legacies of the Early Christian Church, Byzantine and Islamic east, and Romanesque and Gothic Europe — offering a dynamic companion to any medieval history curriculum.

Students will alternate weekly between architecture and art history, engaging with thoughtful readings, design-based examples, creative response activities, and focused study on the elements of art and principles of design.

Schedule:

Term 1 Stone and Sanctuary

Term 2 Pilgrimage and Power

Term 3 Light and Legacy

Required reading:

• The Story of Architecture by Waterhouse
• The Story of Painting by Janson (may be difficult to find, be sure to check used sites such as Amazon Used, Thriftbooks, PangoBooks, Ebay, and AbeBooks/can be substituted with just weekly lessons and links if completely unable to acquire)
• Bayeux Tapestry Colouring Book by Frances Lincoln
• Castle by David Macaulay
• Cathedral by David Macaulay
• Book of Centuries (the one you use for all other subjects)
• notebook or artbook (see links)
• computer with internet access
• Form in Hand supplies (found in back of guide)
• tracing paper

Includes enriching study helps:

-architectural illustrations

-concepts in practice

-defining vocabulary

-hands-on creation: the dome, the vault

Your download will also include the Architecture and Art History posters, 7 Principles of Design and 7 Elements of Art, as engaging steps to awaken wonder and train the eyes and mind to notice and appreciate.

Perfect for families following a history-centered education or those using Epoch & Echoes as their spine, particularly Medieval history.

Recommended contemporary and complimentary studies:

History – The Symphony of History Vol 2 Nocturne

Geography – Asia

Composer – Echoes in the Cloister, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Echoes in the Courts

Poetry – Gerard Hopkins, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Picture – Giotto, John Everett Millais, and Albrecht Durer

*the guide includes QR Codes for easy links, if you choose to print the document.

For printing, we recommend our print partner Humble Heart Press.

Due to the digital nature of this product, we are unable to accept returns.