I have been teaching for over 20 years. During that time, I developed a creative way of bringing the Black Death to life in class---by giving a student the Black Death! Let's just say, my background in theater really paid off.
Although I used to make and sell latex buboes for this lesson, that grew too cost prohibitive. But don't worry, you can easily make your own bubo and be using it in class within a couple of days.
Follow the instructions at each tab above and--before you know it--you too will be bringing the Black Death to life!
The lesson plans feature reading/writing activities, lecture, essay assignment and detailed instructions on how to use the bubo in class!
A new, updated 2013 digital version of lesson plans is also available. Includes ACT-style reading and assessment, plus a Common Core meaning of words activity. Only $9.99!
For a printed copy of these instructions, click here.
Now that you have made a “bubo mold,” now you can pour the latex and make an actual bubo.
Materials needed for this step:
Bubo Mold
Liquid Latex
Ultra Fine sandpaper
Plastic funnel
Step 1: Preparing the Mold
Note: This step is only needed when you use the mold for the first time. Simply take your ULTRA FINE sandpaper and lightly sand the mold. Make sure the top is smooth. If you had bums or air bubbles in the mold itself, a few swipes of the sandpaper will smooth it out. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Bumps are okay. When you are done sanding the mold, blow out the dust.
Step 2: Pouring the Latex
Now, it is time to pour the latex. Shake the bottle really good before you pour. Then, pour the latex slowly into the mold. Make sure the latex sits at least ¼ inch above the top of the mold.
You may have to swirl the latex a bit so that it is even across the surface of the mold.
Let sit for 30 minutes. This is important. Let it sit in the sun or someplace warm.
Step 3: Removing the Excess Latex
Remove the latex by pouring back into the bottle via the plastic funnel. Let it drain from the mold for about 5 minutes.
Wipe off the lip of the flower pot.
Then turn the mold over on a paper towel to let drain any extra latex. Do this for only 5 minutes.
Step 4: Let Dry
You should have a thick layer of latex clinging to the mold.
Now comes the hard part: waiting. It will take the latex 24-48 hours to dry completely (sometimes longer depending on humidity. Placing the mold in front of a fan set on low can also help). Once it is no longer tacky, you will be able to pull the bubo from the mold and move on to the next process.
See Bubo Making 103 to learn how to color your bubo.
Making a bubo is pretty easy. The most important consideration: time. Don't expect to make a latex bubo the day before you plan on doing this in class. It won't happen. Give yourself about a week to get this done. It needs to be done in stages.
The hardest thing to do is make the mold. Once the mold is made, however, you can use it over and over again.
Materials needed:
Plaster of Paris
Plastic Easter Egg
Container to mix plaster
Cooking Spray
Small terra cotta flower pot
Step 1: Preparing the Positive Bubo
In order to make a mold, you need to have an actual bubo to set into the plaster. That is what the PLASTIC EASTER EGG is for. However, it is too light to simply set into wet plaster. You need to make it heavy. Mix some PLASTER OF PARIS as per the instructions. You don't need much for this. Once the plaster is mixed, pour it into the blunt half of the Easter egg. Let sit for at least an hour until the plaster dries. Then wip off the plaster from the outside of the plastic egg.
Step 2: Making the Bubo Mold
1. Once the plaster has hardened in the Easter egg, you can prepare the actual mold. Mix some more PLASTER OF PARIS. I like to use a clean glass jar for this. You only need about a cup or so of the mix. Following instructions on the container (usually 2 parts mix to 1 part cold water). Make sure it is mixed thoroughly, or it won't set right. Get a dowel rod or something to stir the mix so that all of the powder is thoroughly wet.
2. Pour the Plaster of Paris into the FLOWER POT. Make sure it fills to about 1/3 from the top. Then, gently lift the pot and bang it a few times on the surface of the table to release any air bubbles in the mixture. Be careful not to splash.
3. Take the EASTER EGG that is full of dried plaster. Turn it over on a flat surface on top of some newspapers. Spray the COOKING SPRAY over the plastic surface. This will make it easier to remove from the plaster once it is dry.
4. Place the EASTER EGG into the flower pot. The egg should be heavy now so that it doesn't float. It should stick up about 1/4 inch or so. Gently bang the flower pot on the table again to level the mixture. Push the egg down again, if necessary. If you find it floats too much, add some weight. A couple of quarters should do it.
5. Let dry thoroughly. Depending on conditions, this will take at least 1 hour (maybe 2)
6. Once dry, carefully remove the egg. Your mold is now done. Before you can actually use it, however, it needs to cure for 24 hours.
The finished mold:
Come back soon to see how to use the mold to make a bubo!
I have been teaching for over 20 years. During that time, I developed a creative way of bringing the Black Death to life in class---by giving a student the Black Death! Let's just say, my background in theater really paid off.
