English/Language Arts
Explore an “I wonder…” question
In her opening paragraph, Author Albee tells the reader what led her to write about this topic - it all started with an “I wonder…” question. Have your students do some “I wonder…” journalling in their writer’s notebooks over the course of a week - try using it as a closure activity at the end of a daily lesson. After they have gathered a number of these, take them to the library to do a little research and write an interesting piece about what they find.
Social Studies
Explore geography - Loire Valley
Time to get out the globe or look up some historical maps to get a sense of where all these places in France are in relation to each other. The more students handle maps and globes, the more their sense of direction and global geography develops. Take advantage of every opportunity!
Explore Monarchies - France
Who were the kings and queens of renaissance France, and what kind of impact did the monarchy have on the economy? Use this Minute to explore the role of monarchies during the renaissance.
Explore movement in geography
Movement is one of the five basic themes of geography, and in this Minute students get a real sense of why it matters. Take a look at the relationship between transportation and movement including how far they could go and what kinds of limits it imposed. Why were they moving so frequently - take a look back at the Minute - Albee describes a number of challenges that kept them moving.
Explore the Medici legacy
Author Albee presents Catherine de Medici to our students, one of the famed Medici family that played such an influential part in the advancement of the arts and sciences of the times. Have students explore the contributions of this famed house and the legacy they left behind.
Explore Renaissance era occupations
One way to analyze a time period and culture is to take a look at the occupational opportunities. Author Albee gives us a sizeable list to use as a starting point, with occupations both familiar and long extinct. Have your students explore the roles and responsibilities of these occupations, and how the array connects to the cultural contributions of the era.
STEM
Explore speed and distance
This is a perfect Minute for setting up the need for students to be able to solve word problems! Given the limits of available transportation and using the speeds outlined in the Minute, have students set up transportation scenarios for their peers to solve.
Explore the environmental science of sanitation
It may not be considered a topic for polite conversation, but sanitation is a problem that must be solved in all societies in order to survive. Use this Minute as a way to introduce the critical nature of the science of sanitation. How do we avoid disease that can come from waste products? How do we get rid of waste product with the knowledge that as long as there is life, waster will continued to be produced? What kinds of innovations have we seen since the renaissance era, and what kinds of things need to be re-imagined for our future?
Art
Explore architecture - palaces
Author Albee tells us of the many palaces the monarchies of France traveled between. Once students understand the function of palaces, they can start to look at how the architects of the past designed castles form to provide the necessary functions.
Research Skills
Explore online renaissance resources
The internet is rife with rich resources for students to explore the renaissance. Check out things like Annenberg Learner, The RSA (Renaissance Society of America), or PBS’ Medici Gallery. And John Green’s Crash Course on the Renaissance is a must-see for middle school and up.
Explore an “I wonder…” question
In her opening paragraph, Author Albee tells the reader what led her to write about this topic - it all started with an “I wonder…” question. Have your students do some “I wonder…” journalling in their writer’s notebooks over the course of a week - try using it as a closure activity at the end of a daily lesson. After they have gathered a number of these, take them to the library to do a little research and write an interesting piece about what they find.
Social Studies
Explore geography - Loire Valley
Time to get out the globe or look up some historical maps to get a sense of where all these places in France are in relation to each other. The more students handle maps and globes, the more their sense of direction and global geography develops. Take advantage of every opportunity!
Explore Monarchies - France
Who were the kings and queens of renaissance France, and what kind of impact did the monarchy have on the economy? Use this Minute to explore the role of monarchies during the renaissance.
Explore movement in geography
Movement is one of the five basic themes of geography, and in this Minute students get a real sense of why it matters. Take a look at the relationship between transportation and movement including how far they could go and what kinds of limits it imposed. Why were they moving so frequently - take a look back at the Minute - Albee describes a number of challenges that kept them moving.
Explore the Medici legacy
Author Albee presents Catherine de Medici to our students, one of the famed Medici family that played such an influential part in the advancement of the arts and sciences of the times. Have students explore the contributions of this famed house and the legacy they left behind.
Explore Renaissance era occupations
One way to analyze a time period and culture is to take a look at the occupational opportunities. Author Albee gives us a sizeable list to use as a starting point, with occupations both familiar and long extinct. Have your students explore the roles and responsibilities of these occupations, and how the array connects to the cultural contributions of the era.
STEM
Explore speed and distance
This is a perfect Minute for setting up the need for students to be able to solve word problems! Given the limits of available transportation and using the speeds outlined in the Minute, have students set up transportation scenarios for their peers to solve.
Explore the environmental science of sanitation
It may not be considered a topic for polite conversation, but sanitation is a problem that must be solved in all societies in order to survive. Use this Minute as a way to introduce the critical nature of the science of sanitation. How do we avoid disease that can come from waste products? How do we get rid of waste product with the knowledge that as long as there is life, waster will continued to be produced? What kinds of innovations have we seen since the renaissance era, and what kinds of things need to be re-imagined for our future?
Art
Explore architecture - palaces
Author Albee tells us of the many palaces the monarchies of France traveled between. Once students understand the function of palaces, they can start to look at how the architects of the past designed castles form to provide the necessary functions.
Research Skills
Explore online renaissance resources
The internet is rife with rich resources for students to explore the renaissance. Check out things like Annenberg Learner, The RSA (Renaissance Society of America), or PBS’ Medici Gallery. And John Green’s Crash Course on the Renaissance is a must-see for middle school and up.
© Karen Sterling, 2017 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission