Renaissance Lesson Plans

Students discover the Harlem Renaissance. In this early 20th century lesson, students use various primary sources including handouts, worksheets, maps, music, and poetry to examine aspects of African American culture. Students will engage in a series of activities geared at answering the days 'Big Idea'. This lesson includes web resources, assessments,  a 5 station activity, and worksheets.

6th graders design a timeline of the Renaissance. In this Renaissance lesson, 6th graders determine the meaning of the word, Renaissance. They research information about this historical era and use software to make a timeline and work in groups to develop an eight page PowerPoint presentation. They examine the art, religion, inventions, social and political development of the Renaissance.

Students investigate the history of African Americans by researching Harlem.  In this culture lesson, students examine a slide-show of images and identify the great African American singers and performers of the 20th century.  Students recite important quotes from the era and explore the beautiful music made in the Harlem Renaissance.

6th graders map out trade routes. In this Renaissance time period lesson, 6th graders complete a Christopher Columbus Map Activity, discuss and identify the parts of a map, and locate Asia, Europe and the Middle East. 6th graders research trade routes, specifically Renaissance trade routes, modes of transportation and cultural exchanges. 6th graders complete a map that shows at least three major trade routes.

Students recognize the characteristics of an extended definition.  In this Renaissance person lesson, students read a collection of short stories.  Students research the definitions of Renaissance and Renaissance person.  Students write an extended definition.

This lesson has 7th graders investigate the contributions of individuals during the Italian and Harlem Renaissance periods. In this Italian and Harlem Renaissance lesson, 7th graders research the two eras before writing a script. They write a script that develops a conversation between two significant persons of the era including details about the artistic, social, and political changes.

Learners examine the men and women who were a part of the Harlem Renaissance. Individually, they recreate their favorite pieces of art from the time period and create their own original works after reading poem from the movement. In groups, they discuss the conditions of Harlem that made it possible for the Harlem Renaissance to occur.

Learners research the Negro Renaissance, its important contributors, and society's affect upon the Negro Renaissance contributor's products. Learners create an online biographical presentation of Negro Renaissance contributors as a culminating project.

In this lesson 5th graders study Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. They analyze the Renaissance Time period and the different political, artistic and scientific inventions of the time period.

Students examine the time period of the Harlem Renaissance. As a class, they are introduced to five artists and discuss their art and techniques. Using the internet, they also research the philosophers of the time period and how situations were different after the movement. To end the lesson, they create their own artwork based on the techniques of the five artists examined at the beginning of the lesson.