Shannon Lewis

Lesson 1/7
World History since the Fifteenth Century- Grade 12 University Prep
Subject / Course:
(CHY4U)
Topic: Europe and the Renaissance 
Lesson Title: Intro to Humanism and Renaissance Thinking
Lesson
Strand: B3 75 min    
Duration:

Lesson Objectives (Big Idea):

Students will be introduced to the concept of Humanism. They will come away with an
understanding of how this new way of thinking shifted European society and created
new ideas of citizenship and identity in this period.

Curriculum Expectations:

A1. Historical Inquiry: use the historical inquiry process and the concepts of historical thinking
when investigating aspects of world history since the fifteenth century;
● A1.2 select and organize relevant evidence and information on aspects of world
history since the fifteenth century from a variety of primary and secondary sources
● A1.4 interpret and analyse evidence and information relevant to their investigations,
using various tools, strategies, and approaches appropriate for historical inquiry
● A1.7 evaluate and synthesize their findings to formulate conclusions and/or make
informed judgements or predictions about the issues, events, and/or developments
they are investigating

B3. Identity, Citizenship, and Heritage: analyse, with reference to the contributions of specific
individuals, ways in which ideas, values, and artistic production affected the development of
identity, citizenship, and/or heritage in various societies between 1450 and 1650
● B3.1 analyse the impact of some significant new ideas on identity, citizenship,
and/or heritage in various societies around the world during this period

Historical Frameworks: Historical Significance, Cause and Consequence

Materials/Resources:

● Chart paper
● Handouts of information for students to create timeline
● Teacher needs computer and projector for powerpoint
Shannon Lewis

● Students need computers/chromebooks for independent research

● Resource books for students to use during independent research

Lesson Body:

Hook: 5 min
● KWL Anchor charts- Hang 6 pieces of chart paper around the class (1 for each
lesson) and turn them into KWL charts. Have students go around and fill out
the K and W parts of the charts and keep up for the entire unit. At the end they
can go back and we can look at what they knew and what they have learned by
the end of the unit.

Instruction: 10-15 min

● Teacher led exploration of the concept of Humanism. Explore questions like
what it is, where it started, what does it mean, etc.

Activity 1: 10 min
● In groups students are a list of events/major changes that occurred during the
renaissance. They have to use their devices to find the dates and create a
timeline of events. This will include actions of famous figures, turning points,
social/political/cultural innovations, etc. (​see appendix A-B​)
Assessment type:​ assessment as learning- Students doing research for independent
learning

Activity 2: 40 min
● As a group students will pick out what they think are the post important events
in the timeline. Each group member will do brief independent research on one
of the topics and compile what they have learned. They will then go back to the
group and share their information with each other.
Assessment type:​ assessment of learning- Teacher observation and notes to
determine learning gaps that can be filled later. Students learning from each other.

Closing: 10 min
● Quick class discussion to bring everyone back together. What were the major
events that your group picked, and why is that more important than something
else?- Have students defend their choices, or realize that maybe something
they thought was the most influential at the beginning is not as important as
something else.

​ tudents will be in charge of their own learning and decide what they
Differentiation: S
want to learn about. It is verbal (sharing and learning from what others have learned),
visual (reading and doing research), kinesthetic (lots of movement between groups
Shannon Lewis

and individual work, physically creating a timeline)

Shannon Lewis

Appendix A​- Teacher Version

Events of the Renaissance

● Creation of the Spanish Inquisition- 1478

● Columbus “discovers” the Americas- 1492
● Michelangelo creates his statue of David-1504
● Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa- 1505
● Machiavelli writes his book “The Prince”- 1513
● Thomas Moore writes his book “Utopia”- 1516
● Charles V of Spain becomes the Holy Roman Emperor- 1516
● Martin Luther writes his Ninety-Five Theses
● Beginning of the European Wars of Religion- 1524
● Battle of Pavia between France and the Holy Roman Empire- 1525
● Sack of Rome- 1527
● Henry VIII of England becomes Supreme Head of the English Church- 1531
● Destruction of the monasteries in England- 1539
● Jesuit Order established- 1543
● Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I in England- 1558
● Peace of Augsburg- 1555
● Saint Bartholomew’s Massacre- 1572
● Edict of Nantes- 1595
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Appendix B- Student Version

Events of the Renaissance

● Machiavelli writes his book “The Prince”

● Battle of Pavia between France and the Holy Roman Empire
● Michelangelo creates his statue of David
● Saint Bartholomew’s Massacre
● Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I in England
● Thomas Moore writes his book “Utopia”
● Columbus “discovers” the Americas
● Peace of Augsburg
● Charles V of Spain becomes the Holy Roman Emperor
● Edict of Nantes
● Beginning of the European Wars of Religion
● Sack of Rome
● Creation of the Spanish Inquisition
● Destruction of the monasteries in England
● Jesuit Order established
● Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa
● Martin Luther writes his Ninety-Five Theses
● Henry VIII of England becomes Supreme Head of the English Church