Materials

• Notes on the Black Plague (Attachment D)
• Film about the Black Plague (optional)
• Blank map of the world
• Article about a current or recent epidemic, such as AIDS or SARS (optional)
• Overhead projector (optional)

Instructional Activities

1. Begin by defining epidemic on board. Then have students consider the following question:
   
   •What factors contribute to diseases becoming epidemics?
   
   
2. Put notes on the Black Plague (Attachment D) the board or overhead, and discuss notes as they are displayed.
   
   
3. If available, show a film on the Black Plague.
   
   
4. Distribute copies of a blank map of the world. Instruct students to draw the trade routes that spread the Plague throughout Europe.
   
   
5. Graph the death rate of the victims of the Black Plague.
   
   
6. If there is time, have students read an article about a current or recent health crisis such as one involving AIDS, Ebola, or SARS in 2003. Discuss potential effects and solutions. This could be a homework assignment.