Topic: Renaissance in Europe

Author of the script: Marcin Dyś

Target group

6th grade student of elementary school.

Core curriculum

IX. “Golden era” in Poland against the European background. Student:

1) recognises the characteristics of the European Renaissance; characterises the greatest achievements of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael Santi, Erasmus of Rotterdam, Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo and Jan Gutenberg.

The general aim of education

Students will learn about the Renaissance period in Europe.

Key competences

• communication in the mother tongue;

• communication in foreign languages;

• learning to learn;

• social and civic competences.

Learning outcomes

Student:

• explains the terms: renaissance and humanism;

• defines the characteristics of the Renaissance period;

• describes figures of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Jan Gutenberg;

• explains the impact of the invention of Jan Gutenberg on lives of people.

Methods/techniques

• exposing methods: explanations and comments from the teacher;

• programmed methods: using e‑textbook; using multimedia;

• problematic methods: activating methods: discussion;

• practical methods: exercises concerned, working with text;

Forms of work

• collective activity;

• activity in groups.

Teaching aids

• e‑textbook;

• notebook and crayons/ felt‑tip pens;

• interactive whiteboard, tablets/computers;

• multimedia material.

Before classes

The teacher asks the students to recall what the Byzantine Empire was and what the characteristics of Middle Ages were.

Lesson plan overview (Process)

Introduction

1. The teacher gives the students the subject, explains the students the lesson objective and the criteria for success.

2. The teacher introduces the students to the Renaissance period by presenting the situation
   in 15th century Europe. The teacher tells about the Turkish threat, the collapse of the Eastern Roman Empire and its consequences. Students fulfil Task 1 and Task 2. The teacher makes sure that the tasks have been correctly completed and gives feedback.

Realization

1. The Renaissance emerged in Italy, and Florence - one of the greatest cities in Italy at the time - became its capital. The teacher continues by drawing attention to the role of patronage, i.e. the wealthy’s support for artists, which allowed them to create and develop their skills. One of the most eminent patrons was the Medici family. Students look at the gallery from Task 3 and then do Exercise 1. The teacher makes sure that the tasks have been correctly completed and gives feedback.

2. The teacher points out that a very important role in the emergence and development of the Renaissance was played by artists and researchers, experts in culture and art called humanists. They were guided by a slogan: I am a man: I hold that nothing human is alien to me. The teacher asks the students what in their opinion does this saying mean today? The teacher presents the students with portraits of Petrarca and Dante (Task 4).

3. The Renaissance, however, is first and foremost the era of great artists, who were well educated and familiar with many fields of science and art. It is not without reason that today such a person is also called “a Renaissance man”. The teacher briefly introduces the figures of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, presenting their most famous works (Task 5). Then the teacher says that even such outstanding artists as them had to seek patronage and sponsorship for their works. Students look at Exercise 2. Additionally, students may fulfil Task 6 and Task 7. When doing exercises and tasks, the teacher uses tents or a set of cards in three colours: green, yellow and red. Students use the cards to indicate to the teacher whether they are having difficulty in fulfilling the tasks (green – I’m doing great, yellow – I have some doubts, red – I need help).

4. The teacher divides the students into groups (of 3‑5). The task of each group is to play the role of a Renaissance architect‑constructor, artist, painter, sculptor or humanist (students can choose a figure or each group draws lots for the roles) and to write a kind of advertisement addressed to a potential patron. The advertisement must convince the sponsor that particular artist is the one whom the sponsor needs to immortalize his/her figure. The advertisement should include artistic achievements and the most important assets that can be boasted. Finally, each group presents its own advertisement to the whole class.

5. In conclusion, the teacher tells about one of the most important inventions in the history of mankind, which revolutionised technology and contributed to the development of reading: the printing font of Jan Gutenberg.

Summary

1. As a homework, the teacher asks the students to read an excerpt from the e‑textbook “Discovery of printing” and to do Exercise 3 and Exercise 4. The teacher makes sure that the tasks have been correctly completed and gives feedback.

2. The teacher together with the students summarizes the most important information from the lesson. The teacher provides feedback to students on their work and commitment.

Summary of the most important contents of the lesson

1. Familiarization with the characteristics of Renaissance.

2. Learning about the most important artists and works of the Renaissance period.

3. Reflection on momentousness of Jan Gutenberg's invention.

4. Reflection on the significance of patronage for the development of science and the art of Renaissance.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

Renaissance in Europe

In the 13th century, interest in antiquity began to grow in Italy. This marked the beginning of the Renaissance, i.e. the rebirth of ancient culture. It was referred to in architecture, sculpture, painting and literature. Man became the focus of interest for artists and thinkers. With time, Renaissance ideas became popular throughout Europe (Renaissance reached its peak at the end of the 15th century and in the 16th century). The invention of print by Jan Gutenberg had a huge impact on the dissemination of these ideas. His first book to be printed was the Bible. The most important figures of the Renaissance include: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rafael Santi and Erasmus of Rotterdam.