Unit prompt
Unit:
From Absolutism to Freedom
Purpose: One Big Idea
The development of individual freedoms during the age of the renaissance and the discovery of new cultures
and philosophies around the world urged scholars to ask questions about human existence on Earth.
Questioning science prompted the questioning of the political establishment leading to a new wave of
philosophies that encouraged the growth of personal freedoms.
Social Studies Standard
SS-HS-1.1.1 Students will compare and contrast
(purposes, sources of power) various forms of
government in the world (e.g., monarchy, democracy,
republic, dictatorship) and evaluate how effective they
have been in establishing order, providing security and
accomplishing common goals.
SS-HS-5.3.2 Students will explain and give examples of
how new ideas and technologies led to an Age of
Exploration by Europeans that brought great wealth to
the absolute monarchies and caused significant political,
economic and social changes (disease, religious ideas,
technologies, new plants/animals, forms of government)
to the other regions of the world.
Relationship to Unit
The strengthening of the monarch in Europe, a
declining economy in France, and a Russia that is still
under the rule of the Mongol Horde, people of
Europe were searching for a new way of life in which
they determined their own fate. However, a free
society was not a society sought by the upper class
which stood firm in its belief that a free government
would lead to a corrupt society.
The age of the renaissance was dominated by
absolute rulers’ who’s right to the throne came
directly from God. However, the discovery new
sciences urged scholars to question the old political
system leading to the development of new types of
governments.
SS-HS-5.1.1 Students will use a variety of tools (e.g.,
The use of primary and secondary sources help
students gain a real life perspective on how the past
primary and secondary sources, data, artifacts) to
analyze perceptions and perspectives (e.g., gender, race, is connected to the present.
region, ethnic group, nationality, age, economic status,
religion, politics, geographic factors) of people and
historical events in the modern world (1500 A.D. to
present) and United States History (Reconstruction to
present).
SS-HS-5.1.2 Students will analyze how history is a series
of connected events shaped by multiple cause and
effect relationships, tying past to present.
The power of the monarch increased, many Kings
and Queens sought to strengthen their power
leading to merchant scholars to question the
legitimacy of the crown. Once this question surfaced
it grew into a middle class movement that led to the
birth of the United States, the collapse of the French
Monarchy, and the development of constitutional
Monarchies.
Lesson Title
Absolute Monarchy
Main Ideas
1. The origins of Absolute Monarchy
2. The growth of Central European kingdoms
3. The differences between Russia and the rest of
Western Europe
Scientific Revolution
1. Circumstances leading to the scientific revolution
2. The importance of the heliocentric theory
3. The connection between politics, religion, and
science.
1. Enlightenment philosophers and their impact on
global society, economic, and government
2. Impact of women on the enlightenment
3. The effect of art and literature on society
Age of Change
American Revolution
1. The American Enlightenment
2. Creating a republic
3. The impact of the American Revolution around
the world
Lesson Title
Absolute Monarchy
Scientific Revolution
Quiz
10 Questions
10 Questions
Points
10
10
Age of Change
10 Questions
10
American Revolution
10 Questions
10
Assessments
Formative (quizzes, worksheets, ect)
Summative (Unit Exam)
ACT Preparation Reading Assignments
Total:
Points
100
50
20
170
Homework
Daily sheet/ Absolute Monarchs
Daily Sheet/ Reading
Guide/Experiment
Daily Sheet/ Reading
Guide/Philosophers
Daily Sheet/ Reading Guide/Time
Line
Points
20
10
20
10
World Civilization Daily Sheet
Unit:
From Absolutism to Freedom
Lesson:
Science, Religion and
Politics
Section:
Pages:
Date:
Purpose of the Lesson:
The Renaissance and Age of Exploration led to the discovery of new sciences, philosophies, and cultures in
other parts of the world inspiring philosophers, scholars, artists, merchants, ect, through a spirit of curiosity
In response to the discoveries, questions about the existence of mankind, the universe, and philosophies
emerged throughout Europe changing the political and cultural landscape of the West.
Objectives:
1. Analyze the importance of the heliocentric theory.
2. Describe the scientific method and its importance in different fields
3. Discuss the connection between politics, religion, and science
I Can . . .
Describe several results of the Scientific Revolution.
Answer the I can as if it were a question
List the correct sequence of steps in the scientific
method.
Describe how the Scientific Revolution influenced the
American Revolution.
Essential Question – Answer in no less than 3 sentences
What were the risks of embracing new ideas? What were the risks of refusing to do so?
Terms
Geocentric Theory
Scientific Revolution
Heliocentric Theory
Galileo Galilei
Scientific Method
Isaac Newton
Definition /Significance/ Date
Date:
Definition:
Significance
Date:
Definition:
Significance:
Date:
Definition:
Significance:
Date:
Definition:
Significance:
Date:
Definition:
Significance:
Date:
Definition:
Significance:
Procedure:
Day 1
1. Fill out the daily sheet then begin reading the assigned pages while attendance is taken.
2. Class discussion on the objectives and I can statements: How do you think they are related to each other?
3. Class lecture/discussion and the importance of the scientific revolution
4. Discuss possible answers to the Essential Question
5. Class work/Homework – I can Statements, and Vocabulary.
Day 2
1. Discuss the ‘I can” Statements and their relationship to the objectives.
2. Work on and complete reading guide and create your own experiment
4. Answer Essential question through a class discussion
Day 3
1. Check off work from Lesson 1
2. Lesson Quiz
3. ACT preparation Reading assignment
Assignments:
1. Daily Sheet
2. Reading Guide/ Experiment
3. Lesson Quiz
ACT Preparation Reading Assignment
Points
5
15
10
5
Due Date
The Scientific Method
Prompt:
The scientific method was a series of steps, developed during the scientific revolution, in order to help
scholars successfully find the answers to the questions of the universe. However, the scientific
method was also applied to other problems other than science, suggesting that all of life’s problems
could be solved through the use of science.
Directions
1. Think of a problem or question that you may or may not deal with every day.
2. Apply the scientific method to that predicament and create an experiment that will help you solve the
problem.
3. Do not actually follow through with the experiment (unless you really want to). List and describe the
steps you need to take to reach your solution.
4. After you explain the steps, discuss why the scientific experiment helped you come to a conclusion.
Also, discuss why the scientific method can be applied to everyday situations. Finally, explain how the
scientific method was a significant factor in changing the political makeup of Europe.
Rubric:
In order to receive credit, this assignment must have the following:
1. A problem that is lined out and discussed using the scientific method
2. Part 4 of the directions must be completed in at least one paragraph and answer each of the
questions: How can the scientific method help one find the solution to a problem? How can the
scientific method be applied to every day problems? How did the scientific method help change the
political make up of Europe?
Scientific Revolution: Reading Guide
Directions: Answer the following questions using complete sentences.
1. When and where did European beliefs about the universe originate?
2. What role did the Catholic Church have in the science pre 1550?
3. How do the heliocentric and geocentric theories differ?
4. In what two ways does Galileo seek to appease the Church?
5. How did Descartes’ approach to science differ from Bacon’s?
6. Why was the law of gravitation important?
7. Why might institutions of authority reject new ideas?
8. Which event during the scientific revolution do you consider most important? Why?