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Introduction

This lesson was developed as part of a two-week summer workshop on computer technology within the classroom.

The lesson will cover a few of the major writers and artists of the Renaissance period. Special emphasis will be placed on their individual contributions and the impact of their work in American culture.

Content Area and Grade Level

This is a World History class project for tenth graders.

Curriculum Standards

Students will learn about important Renaissance personalities who are less well known to the general public. They will be exposed to their artwork and excerpts from their writings.

Social Studies Standards Addressed

• Recognize the impact of the Renaissance on American literature, art and architecture.
• Travel to the heart of Renaissance life in Italy without leaving the United States.
• Students will create their own presentations based on the information that they compile.
• Students will need to work cooperatively to assign roles and complete a product.
• The students must read and critically analyze the reading selection by a Renaissance author.

Implementation Overview

• The class will be divided into five or six groups depending on your population. There are six artists and six authors listed. Each group will complete work on an artist and an author.
• The project should take four class periods to complete. The week prior to the group assignment has been used for introduction and other background information on the Renaissance. This project is for practice and group discovery.
• There are reading selections that each group will have, therefore it is an interdisciplinary assignment.

Resources Needed

The following should be implemented:

• Enough copies per group of the reading selection with guide questions
• One computer per group with disk, Internet access and word processing
• Overhead transparency sheets; overhead projector; and pens for each group
• poster board, drawing paper, crayons or colored pencils, rulers, and scissors
• art books

The lesson can be implemented and coordinated by one teacher. Some library work may be necessary with the assistance of the media specialist.

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge

Students will need to know the definition of "renaissance" and any other preliminary information. The students will need to recognize works by Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael, and Titan. The students will need to be exposed to The Prince by Machiavelli. They are already familiar with the works of Shakespeare. There should be discussions about the Sistine Chapel, Rome and Florence during the Renaissance.

Evaluation

The students will write two paragraphs giving their personal insights on the Renaissance. They will also complete a group presentation to the class.

Possible Variations

You may add areas, eliminate or alter various parts of this activity.

Conclusion

This lesson gives the student a deeper knowledge of the Renaissance and requires more advanced learning.

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