Lesson Idea 3: Renaissance history - An examination of the history surrounding the renaissance.

Diego Velasquez, Surrender at Breda c1635

Lesson Idea and Outline

Students will research the conditions which led to the Renaissance, and examine the history of that time.

Overview

This unit of work is designed to allow students to explore the history of the Renaissance. Students will also examine the history of the time preceding the Renaissance to gain insight into the factors which led to it's rise.

Objectives

To develop students Historical research skills. To foster an understanding of the Renaissance, as a society and as a product of the prevailing philosophies of the time. To extend students written and oral skills.

Time required

10 hours: 2X intro/planning,6X research/discussion, 2X presentation.

Materials and Equipment

Worksheets, Books, Web access for research.

Procedures

• Introduce topic. Discuss the "dark ages" why were the named that? what were the factors that led to this time being so named?
• How was the Renaissance different? Why? Where did it start? What led to this opening up of thought?
• Discuss Classical Greece and Rome. Why were they important? How does their rediscovery affect the thinking of the times?
• Discuss social changes that occurred around this time: the rise of the mercantile classes, the rise of city states, the guild system, the role of the church.
• Discuss the expansion of trade and travel that occurred at this time. How could this have affected the thinking of those people?
• Introduce the research assignment: Students are to work In groups of 4. They are to research the Renaissance with reference to the religious climate, the politics and city states, the philosophies and dominant ideas of the time, the organisation of society.
• Students to present their findings to the rest of the class and submit a written copy of their presentation to the teacher.

Student Presentation Options

This plan has been designed to allow for a range of presentation options depending on age/skill level of students, and the resources available. Written and oral presentation are already stated. Presentation of information through Director, PowerPoint or Hyperstudio using audio and visual information. A Website of definitions and terms based on the data collected. A short performance illustrating some of the points discovered throughout the project.

Extensions

An examination of renaissance society, it's structure it's, culture and mores, looking at the "everyday life" of the people of that time.

English

• An examination of Renaissance language, it's development, grammar, and usage.

Cross-curricular Options

Arts

• An examination of Renaissance painting, looking at the Similarities and differences of work from the Northern, Italian and Elizabethan schools. An examination of the symbolism used in their work.

English

• An examination of Renaissance language, it's development, grammar, and usage.

Health and PE

• An examination of Renaissance diet, both feasts and that of the peasantry. Food preservation techniques, Cooking and presentation of a Renaissance meal.

LOTE

• An exploration of the Renaissance through the language studied.

Maths

• An examination of the mathematics of the time, with reference to it's current usage.

Music

• Look at the instrumentation of the times, perform music from that era. P.E: Renaissance games. Look at the sports of the time draw parallels between then and now. Play some Of the Sports.

Science

• An examination of the science of the time. Their knowledge and theories. i.e. DaVinci's flying machines, which ones might work? why?