The Renaissance Collection

Introduction
Studying the Renaissance can be an overwhelming task—so many painters, sculptors, architects, writers, and people of achievement! The class has been asked to help with a very special project: we must devise a “Renaissance Top Ten” list for other students to study. Actually, it will only be a “top nine” list since we were given an example to follow for our responses.

The Task

The class will have to decide on which historical persons will fill the remaining nine spaces of the “Renaissance Top Ten” list. To be sure that there is balanced representation on the list, we will need three painters, two sculptors, two architects, and two writers.

Each member of the class will investigate the background and accomplishments of one Renaissance person, and share the findings with the class. These findings should be presented on form that is provided by the teacher, and it should be as persuasive as possible since every Renaissance artist, architect, or writer is competing for a limited number of spaces on our list.

The Process

1. You will receive a copy of the completed example form that was provided for our project. We will use this to explore the various resources that were used to complete that example, and to see how to see how information was gathered from those sources. While we do this, we will learn what made the Renaissance “greats” so great.

2. There is a list of painters, sculptors, architects, and writers for which information is needed. Your teacher will explain which painter, sculptor, architect, or writer you will be researching. You will also receive a draft copy of the form you will be using during your investigation so that you are sure to get all of the information you need.

3. The class will go to the Library Media Center where the Media Specialist will show go over the research steps with the class, and help us figure out which materials to use.

4. Once you have entered all of your data on the draft copy, check the grading rubric to be sure you have all of the information that is needed for the grade you want on this project. Then create your final draft for sharing with the class, which will be voting to fill the spaces in the “Renaissance Top Ten” list.

Evaluation

Criteria	Outstanding 5 points	Good 3 points	Does Not Meet Standards 1 point
Artist’s, Architect’s, or Writer’s Background	§ Includes full name § Year and place of birth § Family background and/or early life § Significant life experiences § Year and place of death	§ Contains many, but not all background elements	§ Contains a few background elements, but most are missing or information is inaccurate
Description of Contributions	§ Description of media or genre used § Innovation or new ideas used in work(s) § Identification of most famous/well-known work(s) § Where may works be found/ seen today	§ Contains many, but not all descriptive elements	§ Contains few descriptive elements or descriptions are inaccurate
Example(s) of Work	§ Provided example of the “best” of this Renaissance person § Presented work in a format appropriate for classroom presentation	§ Used example that did not represent “best work” § Format was not appropriate for class presentation	§ Used poor example that could not be used for class
Explanation of How Work Represent Renaissance Values	§ Identified Renaissance values—symmetry, perspective proportion, realism, Greco-Roman classicism, (humanism in written works)—with specific examples	§ Identified values, but did not provide (accurate) examples from work	§ Did not identify values or give examples from work
Persuasive Tone	§ Made a convincing case for the inclusion of the artist, architect, or writer § Used criteria accurately in presentation § Showed confidence in the presentation	§ Made a reasonable case, but not truly persuasive § Did not appropriately use criteria to support case	§ Not convincing § Did not support case with criteria
Written Work: Grammar, Spelling, Followed Writing Conventions	§ Correct and clean § Edited and ready to publish	§ Noticeable errors § Needs editing	§ Needs a great deal of editing § Many errors § Not ready for publication

Conclusion

After all presentations are made, the class will determine the “final nine” to be included in “The Renaissance Collection” project. When the collection is determined, each student will receive a copy.