Students are introduced briefly to Ancient Greece. They move on to a lengthier exploration of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformation throughout Europe. Finally, they analyze what the Renaissance and the Reformation have in common.
Students are introduced briefly to Ancient Greece. They move on to a lengthier exploration of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformation throughout Europe. Finally, they analyze what the Renaissance and the Reformation have in common.
Students are introduced to the overall focus of the experience and review the objectives. They examine an image of an ancient Greek gravestone and respond to a word cloud prompt about what comes to mind when they hear “Ancient Greece.” They then watch Ancient Greece to learn about Greek civilization and post to a collaborative wall describing how ancient Greece has influenced Europe and life today.
Teacher MovesPresent the lesson overview and objectives, and, if desired, explain that the experience may be spread over several days or extended with a timeline activity. Facilitate discussion of the changing styles of art across Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance using the provided images. Review student word cloud and wall responses to surface prior knowledge and guide conversation about the lasting influence of ancient Greece before unlocking the next scene.
Students view an image of a medieval church panel and read background text about the rise and fall of Rome, the spread of Christianity, and Rome’s cultural legacy. They answer a table prompt identifying the major religious development during Rome’s period of power. Next, they read Middle Ages to learn about key features of medieval Europe and use a graphic organizer to take notes on the Catholic Church, the rise of Islam and the Crusades, art and architecture, and economics and society. Students answer multiple-choice questions about the power of the Catholic Church, the Crusades, and the life of peasants. They then read about the Black Death, examine an image of plague burials, and post to a collaborative wall explaining how losing 30 percent of a population would affect a community and its functioning.
Teacher MovesClarify that Christianity emerged as a major world religion during Rome’s height and ensure students capture this in their responses. Monitor students as they read and complete the graphic organizer, prompting them to note the Church’s influence, the role of Islam and the Crusades, and social and economic structures. Review answers to the multiple-choice questions to check understanding of medieval institutions and daily life. Lead a class discussion on the Black Death wall responses, helping students think through social, economic, and cultural impacts before moving on.
Students view images of Renaissance art, including Michelangelo’s Pietà and a scene of Florence, Italy. They read about the Renaissance and use a graphic organizer to record the meaning of “renaissance,” what the Renaissance was, the changes it brought, and why it developed in Europe. Students then respond on a collaborative wall describing how a sudden creative explosion in art, music, science, and literature would affect their own community and how it functions.
Teacher MovesSupport students as they read and complete the organizer, emphasizing ideas such as rebirth, humanism, and the flourishing of arts and learning in European city-states. Use the images to highlight Renaissance artistic style and the importance of cities like Florence. Facilitate a whole-class discussion of wall responses, connecting students’ ideas about a modern “creative explosion” to the historical impact of the Renaissance.
Students view images related to the Reformation, including a print shop and Martin Luther. They read an explanation of how the Protestant Reformation followed the Renaissance as a reform movement within Christianity and watch Protestant Reformation to learn more about its causes and effects. On a collaborative wall, they explain how Protestantism was a form of protest against existing religious practices and institutions.
Teacher MovesFrame the Reformation as a religious reform movement that built on new ways of thinking from the Renaissance. After students watch the video and post to the wall, guide discussion to ensure they understand that Protestants were challenging what they saw as corruption and departures from the Bible in the Catholic Church. Highlight how new technologies like the printing press helped spread Reformation ideas before unlocking the next scene.
Students examine an image of a Renaissance painting from the Sistine Chapel and respond on a teacher-view wall, explaining how both the Renaissance and the Reformation grew out of a similar new way of thinking and a return to earlier sources.
Teacher MovesReview student explanations and share an interesting or exemplary response with the class. Lead a discussion emphasizing that both movements involved looking back to original sources—classical Greece and Rome for the Renaissance, and the Bible and early Christianity for the Reformation—and that each represented a “rebirth” of older ideas in a new, reformed context.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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