Start of the Renaissance in Italy

SWBAT: Students Will Be Able To analyze how Italy's geography, trade networks, and social changes created the perfect conditions for the Renaissance by citing multiple pieces of text evidence.

​Exit Ticket: Students Demonstrate their learning at the end of the lesson by completing the following prompt:
"The Renaissance didn't just 'happen' in Italy - it was caused by specific geographic and historical circumstances." Defend this statement using at least two pieces of evidence from today's lesson.

• Let's read the story of Mario and Giovanni together.

• My job is to figure out why Mario became a successful artist and Giovanni did not.

• I need to look for cause-and-effect relationships.

​Giovanni de Nowheresville and Mario de Wealthton were aspiring artists in Italy during the Renaissance. The two went to the same university to study sculpture, they had all of the same professors, and were both very accomplished students. After their studies finished, both of them went to their hometowns to see if they could make careers out of being sculptors.

• Let's read the story of Mario and Giovanni together.

• My job is to figure out why Mario became a successful artist and Giovanni did not.

• I need to look for cause-and-effect relationships.

​Giovanni de Nowheresville and Mario de Wealthton were aspiring artists in Italy during the Renaissance. The two went to the same university to study sculpture, they had all of the same professors, and were both very accomplished students. After their studies finished, both of them went to their hometowns to see if they could make careers out of being sculptors.

​Geography (coastal city) → Trade → Wealthy Merchants → Patronage → Artistic Opportunity.

• Directions: You will become an expert on one key cause of the Renaissance. Then, you will teach your classmates.

  Steps:

  1. Expert Groups: Go to your assigned group (1, 2, 3, or 4). Read your section of the text together.

  2. Become an Expert: Discuss and answer the questions on your "handout" Everyone must write the answers.

  3. Home Groups: Return to your original table group. Take turns teaching your section using your notes.

  4. Learn from Others: Listen carefully and complete your "Renaissance Cause & Effect" graphic organizer posted in google classroom as you learn from your peers.

• Group Assignments:

  • Group 1: Global Connections Experts (Crusades Lead to Cultural Diffusion)

  • Group 2: Geography & Trade Experts (Italian and Ottoman Trade)

  • Group 3: Black Death & Social Change Experts (The Black Death)

  • Group 4: Merchant Wealth Experts (The Medici Family Funds Art)

Your Goal: Become an expert on your topic so you can teach others.

1. Read: Read your assigned text section together as a group.
2. Discuss & Answer: Work together to answer your group's specific questions below. Every person must write the answers on their own Expert Sheet

Directions:

1. Return to your original table group with members from each expert group (1, 2, 3, and 4).

2. Take turns teaching your section. Use your Expert Sheet notes!

3. While you listen, fill in your "Renaissance Cause & Effect" graphic organizer posted in google classroom for all four causes.

Speaking Frame for Teaching:

"The main cause my group studied was ________________. One key piece of evidence is ________________. This was important because it led to ________________."

Listening Frame for Note-Taking:

• Cause: (What was the factor?)

• Effect: (How did this help start the Renaissance?)

Exit Ticket: Start of the Renaissance in Italy

Claim: "The Renaissance didn't just 'happen' in Italy - it was caused by specific geographic and historical circumstances."

Your Job: Defend this statement using evidence from our lesson.

Success Criteria:
✓ 3 pts: 2 accurate evidence + clear explanation
✓ 2 pts: 1 evidence + basic explanation
✓ 1 pt: Unclear/no evidence

Sentence Stems:

• "Italy's geography helped because..."

• "Wealth from trade mattered because..."

• "This evidence shows the Renaissance was caused by..."