Lesson Idea 4: Renaissance society - An exploration of renaissance society, it's classes, its politics.

Pieter Breugel, Peasant Dance 1568

Lesson Idea and Outline

Students will research the conditions which led to the Renaissance, and examine the history of that time. Students will explore the society of the time, its structure, roles and rules.

Overview

This unit of work is designed to allow students to explore the culture and society of the Renaissance, it's structure, beliefs, and mores. Students will also examine the history of the time preceding the Renaissance to gain insight into the factors which led to it 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 increase student sensitivity to their place in history., To extend students written and oral skills.

Time required

12 hours: 2X intro/planning,7X research/discussion, 3X presentation.

Materials and Equipment

Worksheets, Books, Web access for research. Teacher list of topics.

Procedures

• Introduce topic. Discuss the "dark ages" why were they 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 role religion played in the lives of the people.
• Ask the students to Imagine what sort of society it as at this time.
• Look at the physical conditions under which people were living both in the city and in the countryside, examine the sorts of work that were done.
• Discuss what life was like for the peasants, artisans and nobility.
• Discuss social order, Who was In charge? the Church? the state? the nobility? How was this maintained?
• Set research task: Student in groups of 2 or 3 are to focus on one aspect of Renaissance life to be assigned from the list held by the teacher.
• Students are to research their topic and present their work to the class. All notes, and final product must also be presented to the teacher at the end of the project.

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. The students could display their knowledge through: Written and oral presentation. Presentation of information through Director, PowerPoint or Hyperstudio using audio and visual information. A Website of their presentation based on the data collected. A short performance illustrating some of the points discovered throughout the project. A Renaissance day where each group presents their area to their own class and the wider school community, which would allow for a combination of these elements.

Extensions

An exploration of the history of the Renaissance. Students should also examine the history of the time preceding the Renaissance to gain insight into the factors which led to it's rise

Cross-curricular Options

English

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

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

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?

SOSE

• An examination of Renaissance history. Why Florence? Why then? An exploration of Renaissance Society, It's structure, mores, and organisation.