The Renaissance – Did it Herald a Better Life for All?

The history mystery video visits Florence to investigate what the city today tells us about the Renaissance of yesteryear – the legacy of famous artists and architects, the power struggles between competing families, the religious superstitions, the vestiges of trade and commerce, the practice of patronage and a murder mystery that remains a cold case today!  Was the Renaissance a time of ‘milk and honey’ for all and does it still influence out lives today?

In this history mystery unit you can explore the mysteries of the exciting Renaissance period in truly interactive ways through analysis of magnificent artworks and architecture, the creation of timelines, sequencing tasks, a decision-maker to solve the baby crisis, a cold case murder investigation, choosing your own top ten Renaissance people and an empathy activity to see which Renaissance character you might have been most like!

Challenge yourselves to sift through the evidence of time, make decisions, and solve historical mysteries.

Case Study unit of work inquiry structure

  • ACTIVITY 1 What was the Renaissance?
    Investigate the characteristics, key events and legacy of the Renaissance.
  • ACTIVITY 2 Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?
    Investigate the impact of trade, Greek philosophy, Medici family, guilds and city states.
  • ACTIVITY 3 What was it like to live in Italy during the Renaissance?
    Examine representations of the popolo minuto and grasso social classes and produce a poster of life in Renaissance Italy.
  • ACTIVITY 4 Video Visit: What does Florence today tell us about the Renaissance?
    Follow Tim Gurry as he investigates what Florence today tells us about the Renaissance.
  • ACTIVITY 5  What was the role of the Guilds during the Renaissance?
    Investigate the role of the numerous guilds and play an interactive decision-maker to try to save the unwanted babies of the Renaissance.
  • ACTIVITY 6 A real Whodunnit! Who was behind the Pazzi conspiracy? What was the conspiracy? Who were the key suspects? Investigate this cold case and solve this mystery.
  • ACTIVITY 7 Who were the great men and women of Renaissance times?
    Meet some of the great people of the Renaissance and decide your top 10 influencers.
  • ACTIVITY 8 What are the unique characteristics of Renaissance art?
    Examine the art and architecture of Florence and select the dominant characteristics that you see in each example.
  • ACTIVITY 9 Reflection – Which Renaissance character are you most like?
    Play a Renaissance decision-maker to see which of four famous characters you are most like!

 

CURRICULUM TOPICS:
Humanities and Social Sciences
History Year 8: Medieval Europe and the early modern world

Case Study Resources

  • Interactive website
  • Print Resources (PDF)
  • Worksheets (DOC)
  • High Quality Video