Project Information Page
Brunelleschi and Architecture
This project was developed as part of the NYS Virtual Learning Space Content Development Grant.
NYNET Resources for Teachers
2002-2003
Sheila Lobel, Scott Murray, and Greg Robinson
lobel@gw.neric.org, smurray@gw.neric.org, robinson@gw.neric.org
Grade 6, Science and Social Studies
Voorheesville Middle School, Voorheesville, NY
Introduction
Students will learn about the life and works of the Renaissance architect, Filippo Brunelleschi,
and the construction of domes. A variety of activities listed on the task page provide teachers
with the opportunity to select appropriate lessons for individual classrooms.
Learners
This project is designed for grade six students and is an interdisciplinary unit for Social Studies
and Science instruction.
Resources
Students will need a computer linked to the internet, a printer, and a notebook for research
collection. Teachers will need a computer (and an LCD projector, if available). A copy of the
book Waiting for Filippo by Michael Bender is also suggested. Teachers will have to provide
the students with materials for the projects, as indicated.
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NYS Virtual Learning Space
Standards
Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Standard 1: Analysis, Inquiry, and Design Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific
inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop
solutions.
Standard 2: Information Systems Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information
using appropriate technologies.
Standard 4: Science Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories
pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of
ideas in science.
Standard 5: Technology Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct,
use and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.
Standard 6: Interconnectedness: Common Themes Students will understand the relationships and
common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these
and other areas of learning.
Standard 7: Interdisciplinary Problem Solving Students will apply the knowledge and thinking
skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed
decisions.
English Language Arts
Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding Students will listen, speak, read, and
write for information and understanding. As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and
ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral,
written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written
language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to acquire, interpret, apply,
and transmit information
The Arts
Standard 4: Understanding the Cultural Contributions of the Arts Students will develop an
understanding of the personal and cultural forces that shape artistic communication and how the arts
turn shape the diverse cultures of past and present society.
Career Development and Occupational Studies
Standard 1: Career Development Students will be knowledgeable about the world of work, explore
career options, and relate personal skills, aptitudes, and abilities to future career decisions.
Standard 2: Integrated Learning Students will demonstrate how academic knowledge and skills are
applied in the workplace and other settings.
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NYS Virtual Learning Space
Social Studies
Standard 2: World History Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their
understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in world history and
examine the broad sweep of history from a variety of perspectives.
Standard 3: Geography Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their
understanding of the geography of the independent world in which we live-local, national, and globalincluding the distribution of people, places, and environments over the earth's surface.
ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students
Basic Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems
Social, Ethical, and Human Issues
1. Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
2. Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning,
collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
Technology Productivity Tools
1. Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote
creativity.
2. Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models,
prepare publications, and produce other creative works
Technology Communications Tools
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on
the appropriateness for specific tasks.
Technology Research Tools
1. Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
2. Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
Process
Students will read the introductory information and become familiar with the core vocabulary in
order to prepare themselves to complete the various tasks presented in this project. Teachers can
select from the tasks included. Students will complete assignments individually and in groups,
depending on the activity. Some activities can be completed at home if students have computers
with internet connections.
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NYS Virtual Learning Space
Evaluation
There will be a portfolio assessment at the conclusion of this unit but periodic assessments will
take place in the classrooms which could include writing assessments using the school’s rubric,
paper/pencil exams, sketches/illustrations, science lab reports and oral presentations.
Credits and References
Bender, Michael. Waiting for Filippo. Chronicle Books. 1995.
Fusi, Rolando. Looking at Florence. Parigi & Maggiorelli, Firenze. 1972.
Hartt, Frederick. Art. Harry N. Adams.1989.
Stevenson, Neil. Annotated Guides: Architecture. Doring Kindersley Limited. 1997
Westfall, Carroll William. Architecture and Construction. Scholastic, Inc. 1994
Koskimies, Kalervo. “S. Clemente. Apse.” Photograph from 1999. Online image.
5 Feb. 2003. http://www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/rooma/pages/224_003B.HTM
Reeve, Michael. “Piazza San Marco”. Nov. 1997. Online image. 5 Feb. 2003.
http://www.myk.mcmail.com/venezia/san_marco/piazza_san_marco/
Chao, Arnold. “Florence Tower”. Copyright 2002. Online image. 5 Feb. 2003.
http://www.arnisto.com/florence.html
Besnard, Samuel. “Le Campanile.” 2002-2003. Online image. 5 Feb. 2003.
http://besnard.samuel.free.fr/p_liste_l_1_gr_13_pg_1.htm
Virtual York. Online images. 5 Feb. 2003. http://www.yorklinks.net/VirtYork/archterm.htm
Architectural Details and Trim. Online images. 5 Feb. 2003.
http://www.seemydesign.com/livingroom/elementsideas/archtrim/architectstyle.htm
Gallery of Art. Online images. 5 Feb. 2003. http://www.artistbiography.info/gallery/filippo_brunelleschi/
Australia National University – Renaissance Art. Online images. 5 Feb. 2003.
http://rubens.anu.edu.au/htdocs/surveys/italren/pics.arch/Part3.html
Matthews, Kevin. “Photo, interior, oculus and sunbeam”. Great Buildings Online. Online
image. 5 Feb. 2003.
http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/Pantheon.html/cid_pantheon_km_001.gbi
“Ostrich egg.” Online image. 5 Feb. 2003.
http://www.kidwings.com/eggs/species/ostrich.htm
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“Horseshoe crab.” Online image. 5 Feb. 2003
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/info/horseshoe_crab.cfm
“Clam shells.” Online image. 5 Feb. 2003
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/info/hard_clam.cfm
“Turtle.” Online image. 5 Feb. 2003
http://www.tortoise-tracks.org/gopherus.html
“Human skeleton.” Online image. 5 Feb. 2003
http://www.bio.psu.edu/faculty/strauss/anatomy/skel/skeletal.htm
“Newspaper dome.” Online image. 5 Feb. 2003
http://yesmag.bc.ca/projects/Misc/Karen.html
“Dome directions.” Online image. 5 Feb. 2003
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/act_geodesic_ho.html
“Gumdrop domes.” Online image. 5 Feb. 2003
http://pbskids.org/zoom/sci/gumdome.html
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NYS Virtual Learning Space