Renaissance: An explosion of creativity
Taking place at different times in different places, the Renaissance saw an explosion of regional creativity.
How do you compare the Renaissance in Italy to Germany’s, or the French to the English Renaissance? Did the societal advances in one region impact the others? In a world without radio or the internet, how did music and art evolve and unify? What were the impacts of regional and international politics and religion on the people living during the time? Did technology affect everyone or just the elite?
All of these questions (and more!) are answered in this unit on the Renaissance! Students will engage in the topic through inquiry-based, three-part lesson plans, an abundance of resources, handouts, small and large group activities, assignments, and assessment suggestions. Each lesson is supported with a mixture of still, video, and interactive media.
The Explorer High School Program is designed to make it easy for teachers to plug and play. Be sure to check out our digital slide decks for easy implementation in traditional and digital classrooms, as well as our curriculum key for links to courses in the Ontario Secondary School curriculums!
Dive into the Renaissance lessons here:
Lesson 1
Overview of the Renaissance Period in Europe
In this introductory lesson, students will consider what they know and wonder about the cultural, political, and social aspects of the Renaissance period in Europe. They will activate their thinking by examining a set of images and participating in a gallery walk activity. Students will add to their knowledge by exploring a set of interactive slides about the Renaissance period. They will consolidate their learning through a comparison of Renaissance life to modern times and/or by completing a quiz.
Lesson 2
Elements of European Renaissance Music
In this lesson, students will explore the important unique characteristics of European music from the Renaissance period and how they influenced later musical periods. Students will begin with an expert group activity to review their understanding of the elements of music. Using the elements of music as a framework, they will then explore music from the Renaissance Period using an interactive slide deck. Finally, students will consolidate their learning through a quiz and/or by analysing a piece of Renaissance music.
Lesson 3
European Instruments in the Renaissance Period
In this lesson, students will explore instruments and ensemble formations that are unique to music in the Renaissance Period. They will activate their prior knowledge about instruments through a listening activity. Using an interactive slide deck, they will then explore the timbre and evolution of instruments and ensembles that are unique to music in the Renaissance Period. Students will demonstrate their learning through a quiz and/or by creating a cover version of a piece of music from the Renaissance Period.
Lesson 4
Religion and Music: Profile of William Byrd
In this lesson, students will learn about the life and contributions of one of the Renaissance period’s most important figures: William Byrd. Using his life as a framework, students will make connections to the contemporary world as they assess the influence of religion and political clout on arts and culture.
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