Renaissance

Introduction

You have been given the opportunity to be transported back in time to the Italian Renaissance. In your travels, you will be given a choice to meet just one of the four greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance . . . Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raphael, or Donatello. But which one should you choose to meet?

     Before making this decision, you must research each of the artists to discover: who they were; what they did/created; when they lived; where they lived; and why are they important to both art and history itself. Then, you must pick one of the artists for the class to meet. Carefully develop an argument on why we should meet the artist you have chosen.

    

Task

All aboard Time Travelers! You have important detective work to do before meeting one of the four greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance. You will need to gather much information before you can make an informed decision.

    First, examine the characteristics of the Renaissance times, its' people, its religion, its governments. How did this period of historical time come about to play such an important role in the development of the arts.

     Then, you and a partner need to specifically research the four artists . . . Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raphael, and Donatello. As you explore the lives of these four men, fill out the Compare and Contrast chart with the information you unearth.

     Finally, after completing your research, you need to narrow the field and select only one of the four artists as your favorite. Write a paper explaining and defending why we should meet the artist you have chosen instead of the other three artists.

Process

In order to complete this Webquest you will need to fulfill the following requirements using your text-book, on-line resources, and other books related to the topics covered.

Step One: The Renaissance

First, you will need to research the Renaissance time period in Europe. After completing your research, create a board using Discovery Education answering the following questions about the Renaissance:

1.      When did the Renaissance take place (Dates)?

2.      What major event preceded the Renaissance?

3.      Where did the Renaissance begin?

4.      Who were some major contributors to the Renaissance (Patrons, Artists, and Writers)?

5.      Why is the Renaissance important to the events that followed it in European History?

Visit the following sites to learn more about the Renaissance:

Renaissance Interactive

Renaissance Personalities

Renaissance Time-Line

Step Two: The Artists

Next, you will need to work with a partner in gathering information about each of the four artists . . . Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raphael, and Donatello. Complete the Compare and Contrast chart provided by the teacher with the information discovered. Each student will be responsible for their own individual chart.

Visit the following sites to learn more about each artist:

 

Leonardo The Man & Inventor

Leonardo Da Vinci a Renaissance Man

 

Raphael High Renaissance Genius

Raphael Sanzio

 

Donatello the Greatest Florentine Artist

Donatello Biography

 

Michelangelo a Famous Painter

Michelangelo Biography 

Step Three: The Greatest Artist is . . .

Finally, armed with all your background information on the Renaissance and the four artists . . . Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raphael, and Donatello . . . you must make a decision... who is the greatest Renaissance artist? 

Adding to your board, explain and defend your choice. Your arguments should reveal specific information and details on each artist that support your case. 

 

Evaluation

Evaluation Rubric
  Beginning 1 Developing 2 Very Good 3 Exemplary 4  
Renaissance Report Report does not present the information in a clear and understandable way. The report does not contain all the required information. Within the report there are many grammatical and spelling errors. Report is presented clearly and in the correct format. The report contains some of the required information. Within the report there are only a few grammatical and spelling errors. Report is presented in a clear and understandable format. The report contains all of the required information. Within the report there are very few grammatical and spelling errors Report contains all the required information and is presented in a clearly in the correct format. There are no grammatical or spelling errors.
Group Cooperation Student did not work well with their partner in sharing or gathering information. Student’s attitude toward their partner was positive, but contributed little to the sharing or gathering of information. Student had a positive attitude and contributed consistently to the sharing and gathering of information Student was positive and helped guide their partner in obtaining information for the completion of the project. Student showed leadership skills in the process of completing the assignment.
Compare and Contrast Chart Student did less than half of the compare and contrast chart. Information that was completed was inaccurate and barely basic. Student completed half of the compare and contrast chart. Information was accurate, but basic. Student completed all the compare and contrast chart. The information provided was accurate and informative. Student completed all the compare and contrast chart. The information provided was accurate, informative and insightful.
ArgumentativePaper Student did not follow directions when completing the paper. The information was basic and showed little interest in the subject. Student did not state a clear argument on why their artist was the best. Student followed directions when completing the paper. The information was basic. Student showed an interest in the subject. Student stated their argument, but failed to provide enough detail. Student followed directions. Information was accuarate and detailed. Student showed an interest in the subject. Student had a well developed argument, but failed to compare the artists accurately. Student followed all directions. Information was detailed and well presented. Student showed a great interest in the subject. Student had a clearly developed argument and compared the artists accurately in great detail.

Conclusion

Congratulations Time Traveler! You have completed your tasks and prepared yourself well to meet the artist you have chosen as the greatest. Your research is valuable. Now, you understand the significance of the Renaissance time period on all of history that came after and the contributions of those artists who lived and created during that time. 

     Alas, the time machine is broken. Unfortunately, you will not be able to meet your chosen artist at this time. But for extra credit, ceate a dialogue between you and the artist as though you had actually met. In your paper, imagine the questions you would like to ask him and record what his answers might be? Keep your questions and answers family friendly and school appropriate.

     Once we have tallied all the students' artist choice, we will watch a movie of the winning artist selected by the majority. Who was the most influential Renaissance artist on history and in the world of art? The answer will soon be known.

     The hour is closing. Thank you for your great work! Until we meet again . . . wishing you good travels through time.