Worksheet
Curated OER

The Renaissance

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Renaissance worksheet, students read a 2 page article covering The Renaissance period, answer 5 facts with multiple choice answers and answer 5 statements true or false.
Website
Harvard University

The Geoffrey Chaucer Page: Francis Petrarch

For Students 9th - 10th
This page from The Geoffrey Chaucer Page of Harvard University provides great information on Petrarch. Read about his life, his influence on literature, and view texts of his works.
Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: The Renaissance, 1300 1600

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Find a selection of readings to enhance teaching humanism and the Italian Renaissance and follow up with some of the questions available through MIT.
Handout
Luminarium

Luminarium: Sir Philip Sidney (1554 1586)

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a portal to biographical information about the Elizabethan poet Sir Philip Sidney, texts of his works, articles and essays about his works, and a list of other resources.
Website
Sonnet Central

Sonnet in England (1880) James A. Noble

For Students 9th - 10th
"The Sonnet in England (1880)" by James Ashcroft Noble discusses the history of the sonnet from Petrarch through modern day. Hypertexr links to examples and other resources.
eBook
Bartleby

Bartleby.com: Donne's Relation to Petrarch

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Contains full text of "Donne's Relation to Petrarch," as appears in "The Cambridge History of English and American Literature." Explains how Donne broke the Petrarchian poetic style.
Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Human Glory Is Enough for Me: Petrarch, the Father of Humanism

For Students 9th - 10th
In-depth learning activity on Scholasticism and the development of Humanistic thought includes research, writing and class discussion. Comprehensive resource material.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Vatican Exhibit: The City Recovers

For Students 9th - 10th
This section of a larger Library of Congress site briefly explains the city of Rome and its recovery during the 1500s and 1600s and includes maps and drawings of the city during that time. In addition, you'll find images of a number of...
Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Medieval Sourcebook: Francesco Petrarch: Letters, C 1372

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an interesting site from the Medieval Sourcebook that lists some letters that Petrarch wrote to dead figures of the past. It will provide the researcher with a better understanding of the great historian and humanist.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: The Renaissance Renaissance Writing

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the changes in writing and poetry during the Renaissance. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Article
ThoughtCo

About.com: Renaissance Humanism

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what Renaissance Humanism means, its origins, the role of Petrarch as the 'Father of Italian Humanism,' how it evolved through the 15th and into the 16th century, and how it ended.
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Italian Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of life in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance, the emergence of humanist thought, and of how the Renaissance got its start in Italy. The Lorenzo de Medici's important role as a patron of the arts in Florence is...
Website
University of Victoria (Canada)

University of Victoria: Sir Thomas Wyatt

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource reveals that Sir Thomas Wyatt was a pioneer in bringing to English poetry the new forms of the Italian Renaissance, especially the Petrarchan sonnet. Related resources and links.
Website
Then Again

Then Again: Web Chron: The Italian Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a short timeline of key events of the Italian Renaissance. Make sure to click on "Humanism" and "Renaissance Art" for more information.
Primary
Harvard University

Harvard's Chaucer Page: Compare Chaucer & Petrarch

For Students 9th - 10th
Chaucer, in his "Canticus Troili" from Book One of "Troilus and Criseyda," draws from Petrarch's "If Love Does Not Exist." The former is written in Middle English, the latter in Italian, both without glossaries or further translation, so...
Graphic
Curated OER

Library of Congress: Vatican Exhibit: The City Recovers

For Students 9th - 10th
This section of a larger Library of Congress site briefly explains the city of Rome and its recovery during the 1500s and 1600s and includes maps and drawings of the city during that time. In addition, you'll find images of a number of...