Session 1: Language and Literature and History – 90' x2

In the first of these two classes the activity is introduced and the groups are formed. Each teacher in each class presents the specific purposes of the activity for each subject: in Language and Literature, to develop writing skills and literary knowledge; in History, to understand the Middle Ages.

The main goal is stressed by the two teachers: the stories to be created must be fictional, while reflecting historical knowledge. That is, the plots and characters that are created, although fictional, must be clearly influenced by the historic traits of the social groups and contexts of the country's Middle Ages. For instance, in Portugal, the construction of a story about the Portuguese nobility should pay attention to this class's main historical characteristics as presented by some of the scientific work listed below. Teachers should look for scientific articles that present the main characteristics of the country's Middle Ages. These articles would also enable the students to come into contact with respected academic works. Students are encouraged to make a compelling and entertaining narrative: their stories should go beyond the presentation of facts, and be creative and well written.

The students should do part of the work outside the class. In session 2, they should present the synopsis of their stories and characters, the story plan and the historical base.

Session 2: Language and Literature – 90'

This is a tutorial session that should be held one or two weeks after the first session. The teacher talks with each group and evaluates the work that the students have already done. The teacher advises the students on how to write a compelling narrative, keeping the activity's goals and the third specific question in mind. The students should choose where they are going to publish their story: on Wattpad or on a blog.   

Session 3: History – 90'

This is a tutorial session that should be held one or two weeks after the first session. The teacher talks with each group and evaluates the work that the students have already done. The teacher helps the students to properly research and understand the Middle Ages, keeping the activity's goals and the second specific question in mind. The students should choose where they are going to publish their story: on Wattpad or on a blog.     

Publishing

The students should publish the final version of their stories one week before their presentations, so that both teachers can read them prior to the final session.

Sesión final - 90 '

Los estudiantes presentaran brevemente sus creaciones: los desafíos a los que se han enfrentado, hablaran de lo que más disfrutado hacer y lo que menos, así como hablaran sobre sus conclusiones con respecto a las preguntas clave de la actividad. Es recomendable que para esta sesión estén presentes ambos docentes. Al final de todas las presentaciones, los docentes comentaran las historias creadas, y entre otras cuestiones, analizaran si sus alumnos respondieron correctamente a los objetivos de la actividad. Se animara a los estudiantes a participar en este debate que se genere.

Al final, los profesores deberán presentar ejemplos de contenidos ficticios populares y que sean de calidad que, a pesar de estar inspirados en eventos reales, difieran de sus fuentes para crear de manera más eficaz una narrativa convincente. Esta parte de la actividad, debería fomentar el debate sobre la naturaleza de los distintos tipos de contenidos: si bien se puede aprender de todos, en teoría, es crucial reconocer que los contenidos y el conocimiento de las historias no son iguales. Es por ello, que por ejemplo, hay que tener en cuenta que tanto el proceso de producción como los objetivos de un artículo científico y de una película, no son iguales. En este sentido, los alumnos deberán reflexionar sobre el hecho de que hay que tener en cuenta la naturaleza de los contenidos cuando los elegimos para que sean nuestras propias fuentes de información.