Ohio Standards Connections: This unit is based on History Content Standard 5: Describe the impact of new ideas and institutions of European life including (b.) Major achievements in art, architecture and literature during the Renaissance. This lesson within the unit specifically addresses: Geography. Location: 1) For each of the societies studied, identify the location of significant physical and human characteristics on a map of the relevant region. 2) On a map, identify places related to the historical events being studied and explain their significance. Movement: 5) Describe the geographic factors and processes that contribute to and impede the diffusion of people, products, and ideas from place to place including: (a.) physical features, (b.) culture, (c.) war, (d.) trade, (e.) technological innovations.

Lesson Title: “Don’t Know Much about History”…Without Looking at Geography Lesson Context: This is the first lesson in a unit entitled “The Renaissance Revisited” Lesson Summary: Before embarking on a study of emerging modern Europe, students will investigate the European landscape to see that place names did not represent modern nations. Looking carefully at a map of the European continent should set the stage for further study into the Renaissance Estimated Duration: This lesson requires approximately 1 hour of classroom instruction. Commentary: If the unit is taught in a world history course, it may require a review of the preceding historical era in Europe, particularly if the study of the Middle Ages did not immediately precede this unit. The following Internet sources and activities can be used, in addition to classroom resources to review. Out of the Middle Ages http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/middleages.html Life in the Middle Ages http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/Brisas/sunda/ma/mahome.htm Middle Ages Scavenger Hunt http://home.rochester.rr.com/lagana/mash.html Pre-Assessment: An informal pre-assessment is recommended for this unit and its introductory lesson, especially if the review activities are used. Posing the question, “What do we know about the Renaissance?” to the class, answers are recorded for the group (on anything from a chalkboard, a transparency, or an interactive whiteboard). Further prompting questions can be used to guide or extend students’ responses. When the listing is complete, ask students to organize their knowledge into categories or groups. This should help to identify the group’s collective knowledge and comprehension about the Renaissance. Scoring Guidelines: Teacher judgment will be the scoring guideline for this pre-assessment. The advantage of this informal pre-assessment is that the teacher can use extended questioning and dialogue with students to determine where and how emphasis might be placed within the succeeding lessons. Post-Assessment: Students will complete a written assessment that asks them to § define “city-state” in the context of Italian city-states of the fifteenth century § identify the following on maps o Physical features of the Italian peninsula o Italian city-states o Trade routes: between Europe and Asia through the Mediterranean region Scoring Guidelines: A teacher-created scoring rubric or guide should be given with the assessment so that students are aware of what should be identified and how it will be graded. Instructional Procedures: After a short introduction to the topic and concepts, the class will use print or Web-based resources to investigate the concept of Italian city-states of the Fifteenth Century, including definition, description, and graphic/map resources. Political geography of the Fifteenth Century should be distinguished from modern Italian political geography. Differentiated Instructional Support § Group struggling readers with more capable readers for reading passages or create a group of struggling students that you will work with to guide them through the reading. § Collect resources written on a variety of levels to provide all students with information that will be appropriate to their skills. Extension Work with the Library Media Specialist to develop a collection of materials on this and related topics for those students who demonstrate interest or specific topics within the unit. Encourage students to study other historical maps on related topics to draw other information into the unit. Homework Options and Home Connections If students do not complete this activity in class, allow them to complete the work at home. Interdisciplinary Connections Understanding of geography concepts is often enhanced by drawing connections to physical science. Physical geography in this unit might also include some connections to the mountainous terrain and volcanic activity. Materials and Resources: For teachers: A variety of resources, both print and Web-based, that provide the requisite information in different formats and at different levels for student use Backline masters of maps for all students Backline masters of assessment for all students Chalkboard, a transparency and transparencies, or an interactive whiteboard For students: Black line masters of maps for assessment Print or web-based resources Colored pencils for map work (optional) Key Vocabulary Middle Ages Renaissance City-state Peninsula Florence Naples Papal States Milan Genoa Sicily Venice Mediterranean Sea Trade Route Technology Connections The following websites and activities are recommended for this activity: Annenberg/CPB Learner.org is an outstanding resource. Within the project, § there is a section on the transition from the Middle Ages <http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/middleages_sub.html> § the interactive activity entitled “Become a Spice Trader” allows students to investigate both an eastern and western trade route and the challenges involved in trade <http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/spicetrade/> Illustrations of Italian city-states <http://webexhibits.org/feast/context/citystate.html> <http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/imagemid/italyWholeLarge.jpg> Italy outline map <http://www.enchantedlearning.com/europe/italy/outlinemap/> <http://geography.about.com/library/blank/blxitaly.htm> Mediterranean Region outline map <http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/mediterranean/outlinemap/>