Mr. Trzepinska
World Cultures
Renaissance Fair Project – Period 7
Task: Students will work in pairs or groups of three to create an exhibit to display at the
upcoming Renaissance Fair. Groups must conduct research on the subject of their choice, to fit
the theme: “humanism and revival of classical culture.”
Each project must answer the following research questions
1. Who or what is it?
2. Where did this event take place? Where did this person contribute to the Renaissance?
3. When did this happen?
4. Why is it important?
5. “How did this aspect contribute to either the rise of humanism, the revival of classical
culture, or the impact modern society?”
Students will have to complete the following for this project
1. Construct a thesis that covers your topic’s importance to the Renaissance and answers
the research questions.
2. Research the topic by using reliable sources and databases
3. Topic Web
4. Daily Progress goals
5. Works Cited Page
6. Visual Aid
7. Presentation to the class
8. Essay (50 point separate grade – see below)
Essay Details
Must be typed, worked on by all members, and in your Drive.
Your essay must contain a thesis and answer the research questions. Essay must provide
background to your topic, discuss and analyze the main points of your topic, and use evidence
to support the thesis.
Essay Format
- Proper heading: Group member names, date, Teacher, Class/Period
- Title: Centered 14pt, Times New Roman Bold font
- Double Spaced, size 12 Times New Roman Font, and default margins
- Works Cited Page at the end of the essay in MLA Format
o 1 source must be a book, article, etc. (Google and e-books count)
o 2 sources must be internet and a reliable website (NO WIKIPEDIA)
o 1 source must be databases (ABC-CLIO etc.)
o THESE ARE JUST THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS WITH SOURCES. IN YOUR
RESEARCH YOU WILL FIND MORE. IF YOU USE AND CITE THESE SOURCES
CORRECTLY YOUR GROUP WILL EARN EXTRA POINTS.
Topic Choice Examples:
Artists:
- Titian
- Pieter Bruegel the Elder
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Michelangelo Buonarroti
- Raphael Sanzio
- Donatello
- Filippo Brunelleschi
Sculptures and Architecture:
- Cristo della Minverva
- David
- Hercules and Cacus
- Madonna of Bruges
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- La Pieta
- School of Athens
- Sistine Chapel
Literature and Philosophy:
- Miguel de Cervantes
- Desiderius Erasmus
- William Shakespeare
- Nicolo Machiavelli
- Thomas More
Culture:
- Food
- Dress
- Dance
- Music
Inventions and Discoveries
- Johannes Guttenberg and the printing press
- Da Vinci’s Military Inventions/Innovations (Select at least 4)
- Da Vinci’s Agricultural Inventions/Innovations (Select at least 4)
- Da Vinci’s Scientific Inventions/Innovations (Select at least 4)
- Household Inventions/Innovations (Select at least 4)
Exhibit Ideas:
Visual Aid (Poster, Art Gallery, Collage, etc.): Must be created entirely by hand and be a collaboration of all group
members research. It is entirely up to you how to construct your visual aid. Be sure to include a title,
headings, images, quotes/other primary sources, and hand drawn maps. You want your visual image to
be a representation of your research and cover all the main points of your thesis.
Digital Visual Aid: This can be created using the Chromebook and technology. There is a plethora of options
available such as Lucid Press, Story Bird, Go Animate, Glogster, etc. You can even create a Facebook page
for your person/event/organization. I have the template so please see me if you are interested.
Exhibit/Model etc.: This option is more of a 3D construction and must be done hand. This can be a re-creation of
an invention or building that occurred during the Renaissance.
PowerPoint/Prezi: You are required to include at least 6-10 slides for PPT and the Prezi needs to have at least 5-6
panels. If you are using a template in Prezi a lot of this will be structured out for you and you may add
paths and panels as you wish. You must include text, images, video clips from YouTube based on your
historical topic. Be creative and include quotes and different types of graphics. Limit text to brief
statements and phrases. Full paragraphs of information will not be accepted.
Make a Documentary: Create in editing program of your choice. The documentary must be at least 3 minutes in
length up to a maximum of 8 minutes Include text, images and other visual expressions, music from the
Renaissance and even your OWN VOICE as narrator. All group members must present. A script must be
included as well. You must wear Renaissance style costumes!
Create and Perform a play or skit: If you do not want to create a video you have the option of doing a live skit and
performance. You can set up your skit in any creative way (News show, Talk Show, SportsCenter, CNN,
etc.) to present your topic. All group members must participate, wear Renaissance style costumes, and
script must be handed in. It is recommended that the group rehearse the skit before presenting to the
class.
Poetry/Song Writing: Each group member must create a poem based on his or her individual area of research.
Each poem must be at least 15 lines. Each poem should reflect the accomplishments and importance of
your assigned individual topic and include 4 -5 historical points such as people, places, dates, etc. Include
a 1 paragraph rationale from each poem.
Newspaper: Create a newspaper with at least 5 different sections summarizing each group’s individual project.
You can include an editorial, Breaking News, Arts, Music, Critical Reviews, etc. Each section should be 3 –
5 paragraphs long. Be sure to include pictures, captions, and advertisements for the Renaissance art and
inventions.
Food: Make an authentic Renaissance-era food dish. You should make enough for the whole class to have some.
When you present your food for tasting, explain not only how it was made, but also who would have
eaten this and why.
Timeline for the Project
Day 1
- Introduction Project
- Learning Proper Research Techniques – special guest Mrs. Keneally
- Begin Research on the Topics of the Renaissance to find out which one interests you
Day 2
- Select Group (You can work by yourself, with one person, or two people)
- Select a Topic
- Create a Google Doc for your notes in your World History Folder and share with your group
members
- Begin to research and take notes
- Gather sources
- By the end of class today groups should be able to answers the Who, What, Where, When,
Why, and How of your topic.
Day 3
- Continue Research
- Create a Preliminary Bibliography of your sources (MLA Format) – Due at the end of class
- Create a Preliminary Thesis for your project – Due at the end of class
- By the end of class today groups should decide their topics importance and impact on the
Renaissance
Day 4
- Make changes to your bibliography and thesis based on Mr. T’s and Ms. Megna’s
suggestions
- Create a Topic Web
- Decide how you will present
- Final Bibliography and Thesis due at the end of class
Day 5
- Begin working on Visual Aid
- Begin working on Essay
- ALL GROUP MEMEBERS MUST CONTRIBUTE TO BOTH
Day 6 and 7
-
Continue work on your project
Renaissance Project
- Project/Presentation Rubric
Category
Excellent
Above Average
Below Average
Unacceptable
Project
40 – 35 points
34 – 29 points
28 – 23 points
22 – 0 points
40 points
Finished product is
extremely
professional, well
researched, and
demonstrates
outstanding effort.
Finished product is professional, well
researched, and demonstrates above
average effort.
Finished product is semiprofessional and democrats
appropriate effort with a fair amount
of research.
Finished product lacks
professionalism, little research, and
demonstrates minimal effort.
15 – 0 points
Final product
contains all
information goals in a
clear and concise
manner
Final product contains most of the
information goals in a clear concise
manner
Final product contains 2-3
Final product contains at least half of somewhat clear goals.
the information goals in a somewhat
clear manner
Content
30 – 25 points
24 – 20 points
19 – 16 points
30 points
Shows full
understanding of
topic.
Shows a good understanding of the
topic.
Shows a good understanding of parts Does not seem to understand the
of the topic.
topic very well.
Preparedness 20 – 17 points
and
All group members
Presentation
are completely
20 points
prepared for
presentation
16 – 13 points
12 – 10 points
9 – 0 points
Group seems pretty prepared but
may have needed a little more
practice.
Group seems somewhat prepared,
but it is clear that rehearsal was
lacking.
Group does not seem at all
prepared to present.
Research
Questions
10 – 8 points
7 – 5 points
4 - 2 points
2 – 0 points
The project fully
addresses and
answers all of the
research questions
with project and
presentation
The project addresses and answers
most of the research questions with
project and presentation
The project addresses and answers
half of the research questions with
project and presentation
The project fails to address and
answer most of the research
questions with project and
presentation.
10 points
Essay Rubric
Requirements
5 points
Introduction and
Thesis
Statements
10 points
Supporting
Details/
Examples/
Development
15 points
Conclusion
10 points
Works Cited
10 points
Exceeds Expectations
Meets Expectations
Below Expectations
Far Below Expectations
All of the written
requirements (# of pages,
# of graphics, type of
graphics, etc.) were met.
The introduction includes
a hook and transitions to the
thesis statement. The
thesis statement names the
topic of the essay and
outlines the main points to
be discussed.
The paragraphs include all of
the necessary points that
support the thesis
Almost all of the written
requirements were met.
Most of the written
requirements were met.
Many requirements were not met.
The introduction includes
a hook, transitions to the
thesis statement, and is mostly
effective. The thesis statement
names the topic of the essay.
A hook is present though not
followed by important
information. The essay includes
an attempt at an Introduction
paragraph, though it is not
smooth and doesn't include a
complete thesis statement.
The paragraphs include few of
the necessary points that
support the position statement.
A hook is missing or weak and important
information is absent. There is an attempt at
an introduction paragraph, but it is not
developed and does not include a thesis
statement.
The conclusion is strong and
leaves the reader solidly
understanding the writer's
position. The paragraph
includes an effective
restatement of the position
statement.
The essay contains all of the
amount of required sources
and is properly cited in MLA
format
The conclusion is recognizable.
The author's position is restated
at a logical point in the
paragraph.
The conclusion is awkward.
The author's position is restated
within the closing paragraph,
but it may not be in a logical
point.
The thesis is not restated or is found in the
same wording as the introduction. The essay is
not summed up.
The essay contains all of the
most of the required sources
and is properly cited in MLA
format
The essay is missing some
required sources and is not
cited properly in MLA format
The essay contains almost none of the of
required sources and is not properly cited in
MLA format
The paragraphs include some of
the necessary points that
support the position statement.
The paragraphs include few to none of the
necessary points that support the position
statement.