Mapping Renaissance Art Lesson Plans

Lesson Objectives

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the Renaissance period through art, written or oral expression and they will practice spatial awareness by creating a grid reproduction of an image

Standards

Common core:

RH.6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
RH.6-8.7. Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
W.7.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
SL.7.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

MCREL:

Standard 1 Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes related to the visual arts
Standard 4 Understands how factors of time and place (e.g., climate, resources, ideas, technology) influence visual, spatial, or temporal characteristics that give meaning or function to a work of art
Standard 14 Uses the design process to solve problems

—Lesson Submitted by Hildi Nicksic, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade Teacher

You Will Need

Teacher Material:

Images of Renaissance art from web sites or books
1-inch grid paper
Renaissance art books

Preparation instructions:

Gather images of Renaissance art to share with your students.
- sculpture
- painting
- architecture
Photocopy for your class:
- 1-inch grid paper
- the Printable: Renaissance Art Student Printable

Student Materials:
- Printable:Renaissance Art Student Printable
- pencil
- ruler
- 1-inch grid paper
- notebook paper
- notecards
- Renaissance image

What to Do

Lesson Instruction:

Start out with a class discussion of the importance of the Renaissance period and the many advancements in art and science that occurred during this time.
Pass out (or project on a screen) the Renaissance Art Student Printable and review the directions
- Explain to your students:
  - Your assignment is to create and present a piece of Renaissance art.
  - There are several prints to choose from including paintings, sculptures, and architecture.
  - Follow the steps below to complete your recreation.
  - Prepare either an explanation of your selected piece, citing its title, creator and date, story of the piece, and why you chose it for your assignment.
  - The story of the piece should include its location(s) and importance to the Renaissance period.
Give time for students to select their image.
- Go over making the grid as a class.
  - It is tricky, even for middle schoolers.
  - If possible, go step by step using an example using an interactive white board or document camera.
- SpEd Modification:
  - Provide student with tracing paper, instead of grid paper.
Provide work time to complete project, monitoring for understanding and task completion.
Have students share their reproduction and explanation in partners, groups, or whole class.

Optional Enrichment:

If students are early (and quality) finishers, have them research their artist/sculptor/architect and provide a brief biography.

Wrapping Up

Facilitate discussion about what went well, what didn’t, and why.
- Include a conversation about art creation and its influence on the Renaissance.
- Inquire:
  - What is one new or interesting fact students learned about the Renaissance?
Create a Renaissance museum with original art, recreation, and explanation.

Additional Resources

Online

Website: Interactives - Renaissance
- Introduction on exploration and trade during the Renaissance. Provides an overview of the tools created during the Middle Ages that made such travels by sea possible as well as insight into the types of goods traders sought in other countries.
Website: The Renaissance Connection
- An engaging multidisciplinary site that allows students to make connections across centuries to understand the origin of many ideas we use today.
Website: Webmuseum Paris - The Renaissance
- This site from ibiblio.com explains the Renaissance, not only as a time period, but as how it changed thought, writing, and art throughout Europe. See links to Renaissance in Italy, Germany, and Netherlands.
Website: A Journey Through the Renaissance
- Very cool ThinkQuest site that traces the Renaissance from the fall of Constantinople to defeat of the Spanish Armada. Includes information on all of Europe during the Renaissance. Uses Flash animations and lots of pictures to give a great chronology of this time period.
Website: Images of Renaissance Art - Italian Painting
- High resolution Renaissance art images to share with students on an interactive whiteboard.

Book

Book: Eyewitness: Renaissance, by Alison Cole (DK, 2000)
Book: The Art of the Renaissance, by Lucia Corrain (Masters of Art, 2001)

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Mapping Renaissance Art