the ASPect - American School of Paris

22/learning outside the classroom
Middle School
by Mary Carley
In October the 6th graders kicked off their unit on the middle ages with a trip to
two fascinating castles.
First stop was Guedelon, a medieval castle construction site where artisans are
constructing a castle using only medieval methods and materials.
Students observed stone cutters, carpenters, rope makers, and many others
working together to build a castle. The castle is expected to be completed
in 2025.
Our second stop was a visit to Ratilly, an authentic medieval castle
located just a few kilometers away. The castle now houses a
pottery studio and functions as a center for the arts. The Sixth
graders who are new to Paris got a chance to practice
their French and discover a new region of France.
Our advanced and Francophone students served
as interpreters for those who needed help,
and in the evening Francophones entertained
and challenged their peers to
improve their French with board
games about Guedelon and
castle building.
The Aspect - November 2010
‘‘I think that Guedelon was a very special
experience that brought the past to preset. The
idea of building a medieval castle like they did
in the Middle Ages is amazing. There were so
many different workshops. The most interesting
part is that they made most of the materials and
they used the same techniques used to build the
castle as the workers did in the Middle Ages. I
would love to try to work as a stone carver for
a day at Guedelon. It would be fun! I hope I can
come back when the castle is finished in 2025.”
Sonia Ben Amar (Grade 6)