The Renaissance Curriculum

At its core, the Renaissance represented a rebirth or revival of the values, ideals, and achievements of ancient Greece and Rome between the 15th and 17th centuries, which shaped art, literature, science, politics, and philosophy for centuries. 

In this curriculum, explore effective teaching strategies and awaken the artist in your students and their love for history. 

See the fact file below for more information on The Renaissance Curriculum, or alternatively, you can download our 16-page The Renaissance Curriculum worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Before we start:

• Watch a short video explainer about The Renaissance. Download the PDF file to access the video link. 

What to consider

• Contextual Understanding – Provide background information on the transition from the Medieval Era to the Renaissance and the overlapping periods of the Age of Discovery and the Enlightenment. 
• Cultural and Intellectual Climate – Explore the intellectual and cultural landscape of the Renaissance, emphasizing the revival of classical learning, the rise of humanism, and the impact of patronage on artistic and intellectual endeavors.
• Artistic and Architectural Achievements – Highlight iconic works of Renaissance art and architecture, examining their aesthetic qualities, historical context, and contributions to cultural and artistic innovation.
• More than Art – The Renaissance period is more than the grandeur of architecture and expressive paintings. Investigate the scientific achievements of the Renaissance, focusing on advancements in fields such as astronomy, anatomy, and mathematics. As well as the philosophical works of Renaissance thinkers, examining themes such as individualism, human nature, and the pursuit of knowledge.
• Global Perspectives and Legacy – Consider the global dimensions of the Renaissance, exploring its connections to trade, exploration, and cultural exchange beyond Europe.

How to deliver

• The Renaissance is one of the most visually appealing topics in teaching and learning history because of its rich imprint in art, particularly painting, mosaics, architectural buildings, and sculpture. Aside from the famed Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo, which became more common to youngsters because of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Renaissance is characterized by the emergence of new philosophies, the rebirth of classical ones, and development of anatomy, astronomy, and mathematics. 
• Similar to other historical periods, such as the Medieval and Enlightenment eras, the Renaissance was a fervent time in European history characterized by its culture, politics, and economy. See the Ancient Civilizations and Medieval History Curriculum packs for additional ideas on teaching historical periods.
• One of the several teaching strategies to jump-start the Renaissance is to use images (paintings, sculptures, and other Renaissance art) and let the learners infer. See sample images and questions. 

•  Inference questions may include:
  • What symbols and motifs are present in the artwork, and what do they represent?
  • How do these symbols reflect the cultural and intellectual values of the Renaissance?
  • How does the artist’s style compare to that of other Renaissance artists?
• Another tested strategy for teaching an era and its historical context is using a chronological timeline. There are several ways to present a timeline, but what is crucial is understanding chronology—the events that led to and ended the Renaissance. While there are several time periods in European history, we will use the most common example.

• While some historians considered the Renaissance a movement rather than a period in history, we can still use the timeline to establish the historical context of the time, including its name, the Renaissance, which means rebirth in French. Among the fundamental questions would be, “Rebirth of what?” If the historical context is cemented, learners can grasp that it’s the rebirth of classical scholarship—a bridge between the Medieval Period or the Middle Ages and the Modern Era. 
• Dissect the timeline further and focus on the events leading to the Renaissance. Besides image analysis, develop the learners’ historical thinking through cause and effect activities. We can utilize additional primary sources, such as manuscripts, literature, journals, treaties, travel accounts, and pamphlets. Sample events leading to the Renaissance are provided below. 

• Teaching the Renaissance can also harness the students’ geographical skills besides significant events. While dwelling on the causes of the Renaissance, utilize maps locating the centers for commerce, trade routes, and the geographical features of different regions, such as the Mediterranean, Italy, and Northern Africa. After establishing the geographical factors of the Renaissance, reuse the mapping activities in the later lessons leading to the Age of Discovery and the Reformation. See a sample of a mapping activity below. 

• Through geography, explore how the strategic location of Italian city-states became the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean and how patronage to artists and scholars by wealthy families like the Medici boosted the development of the Renaissance. Furthermore, it navigates the complexity of being the arts patron to the expanding political influence of wealthy families. 
• Before the end of the lesson, revisit the map and plot the routes explored during the Age of Discovery. Provide processing questions navigating the impact of the Renaissance on the subsequent periods. 
• Highlight the contributions of the time and what sets the Renaissance apart from the Medieval times through art exhibitions, gallery walks, and meet-and-greet activities. Other than printed versions of art pieces, utilize virtual exhibits focusing on the artist’s style, context, and intention. Integrate lessons with art, history, and even science. For example, it presents several interpretations of the seminal theme Madonna and Child by various Renaissance artists, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks, Raphael’s Sistine Madonna, and Sandro Botticelli’s  Madonna of the Pomegranate. As a central theme, encourage them to compare the earlier Byzantine interpretation of Madonna and Child by Duccio. 

• In contrast to the two-dimensional and lack of realistic spatial representation of Medieval paintings, the Renaissance introduced perspective in art. The understanding and application of perspective led to lifelike representations of the world. With varying techniques, artists created the illusion of depth, distance, and volume on a flat surface, which later gave way to the emergence of naturalism and realism. 
• In addition to the technicalities of art analysis, it is important to consider the allegorical meanings, sacred and profane elements, and even the representations of gender and identity. 
• While the Madonna and Child were among the most common central themes in Christian art during the Renaissance, versions of David also reflect their time’s cultural, political, and artistic ideals, celebrating the triumph of virtue over tyranny and the power of human ingenuity and courage. Furthermore, the Davids of the Renaissance featured a more accurate human form. Renaissance sculptors, including Donatello, Michelangelo, and Andrea del Verrocchio, had their versions of David. 
• Engage the learners in hands-on activities to assess their understanding of the characteristics of the Renaissance in art, particularly the revolutionizing idea of perspective. Promote learning and playing to unleash the inner artists in them. The activity could be a painting, mosaic, or sculpture session. 
• While Christian art survived the Renaissance, humanist ideals, such as secularism, individualism, and naturalism, were renewed. Several artists, including da Vinci and Michelangelo, were also into anatomical studies, influencing the more accurate representation of man. The revolutionary Vitruvian Man, Tabulae Anatomicae (Anatomical Tables), and On the Fabric of the Human Body contributed to the advancement of medicine and the transition of art styles from the Medieval to the Renaissance. 
• Along with art exhibitions and gallery walks, let the students immerse themselves in the life of Renaissance artists. With characterization and costumes, they could serve as tour guides in the personalities of Titian, Donatello, Raphael, Botticelli, and da Vinci. 
• As always, museum visits or walking tours are highly advised. In the U.S., several museums are housing Renaissance art pieces, including:

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
• The Art Institute of Chicago in Illinois
• The Museum of Fine Arts in Massachusetts
• The National Gallery of Art in D.C.

• In another part of the world, Renaissance art pieces can be found in: 
• The Louvre in Paris, France
• Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy
• Vatican Museums in Vatican City
• The National Gallery in London, UK
• The Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain 
• The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria

Alternatively, explore virtual tours online like this in The National Gallery in London and witness the masterpieces of Titian, Veronese, and Holbein.  

Other than patrons of the arts and sciences, the Renaissance, the rebirth of classical ideas, fostered humanism, which focuses on people’s capabilities and achievement as opposed to the high regard and reliance on religion, particularly medieval Christianity. Niccolò Machiavelli‘s works, like The Prince, are perfect materials to teach the importance of understanding human nature and the dynamics of power. Learners may also express their perspective on the phrase “the end justifies the means,” as Machiavelli argued in his work.  

• Explore the spread and impact of the Renaissance outside Italy, including the kingdoms in England, Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. 
• As Renaissance thinkers moved away from the domineering ideals of religion and embraced humanism, curiosity and a hunger to expand knowledge contributed to scientific inquiry, exploration of unknown lands, and the challenge of Christianity continued, which led to the Age of Discovery, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, and ultimately, the Enlightenment.  

Learning outcomes

• At the end of the lesson, learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical context, key events, and developments of the Renaissance period, including its political, social, economic, and cultural aspects.
• They are also expected to appreciate the rich cultural achievements of the Renaissance, including art, architecture, literature, music, and philosophy, and understand how these cultural expressions reflect the values, beliefs, and aspirations of Renaissance society.
• Furthermore, learners will be able to explore Renaissance Europe’s interconnectedness with other regions and civilizations, including the Islamic world, Byzantium, Asia, and Africa, and understand how cultural exchange, trade, and exploration shaped Renaissance developments.
• Lastly, learners will be acquainted with humanistic ideals such as individualism, human dignity, and the pursuit of knowledge and understand how these values influenced Renaissance thought, literature, and philosophy, contributing to the emergence of modern humanism and its relevance in today’s societies. 

The Renaissance Curriculum Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about The Renaissance Curriculum across 16 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about The Renaissance Curriculum.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

1. Teaching The Renaissance
   1. Short video explainer
   2. What to consider?
   3. How to deliver?
   4. Learning outcomes
2. Lesson Plan Template
3. Suggested Worksheets

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Renaissance?

• The Renaissance was a cultural, intellectual, and artistic movement that emerged in Europe during the 14th to 17th centuries. It marked a period of renewed interest in classical learning, humanism, and the arts, following the stagnation of the Middle Ages.

What were some key characteristics of the Renaissance?

• Key characteristics of the Renaissance include a revival of interest in classical Greek and Roman literature, art, and philosophy, a focus on individualism and human potential, advancements in science and exploration, and the patronage of wealthy families and city-states that supported the arts.

Who were some prominent figures of the Renaissance?

• Prominent figures of the Renaissance include artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael; writers such as William Shakespeare, Dante Alighieri, and Petrarch; thinkers like Niccolò Machiavelli and Thomas More; and scientists like Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei.

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