The background to the Renaissance
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why the Renaissance began.
Key learning points
- The Renaissance began in the 14th century.
- More scholars were interested in the Greek and Roman world.
- The Renaissance was sparked by intellectual curiosity.
- The Renaissance began in southern Europe.
- Educated people such as humanists communicated in Latin.
Keywords
Renaissance - from a French term for ‘rebirth’, the Renaissance was a period of revival in European art and literature under the influence of classical ideas
Classical - something is classical when it relates to ancient Greece or Rome
Humanists - humanists were people who were interested in the classical world and the potential of the human race
Common misconception
Pupils may think that many of the ideas of the Renaissance were new to science, literature and art.
Explain to pupils that the Renaissance was a period during which knowledge lost in Western Europe was rediscovered, rather than created for the first time.
Teacher tip
If time allows, discuss the ideas present in De rerum natura in more detail. Focus on the idea that while Lucretius did not challenge the existence of God, or gods, he did challenge the idea that they could have an impact on the lives of humans.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The civil war that began in England during the reign of Henry VI was known as the War of the...
Q2.Which of these battles was the bloodiest ever fought on English soil?
Q3.The Paston letters reveal how families from which social group were impacted by the Wars of the Roses?
Q4.Which of these aspects of strong kingship were tested during the Wars of the Roses?
Q5.Starting with the earliest, place these events in chronological order.
Q6.Which of these best describes who was affected by the Wars of the Roses?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these humanists came earliest?
Q2.With the rediscovery of classical knowledge, this period saw artistic and scientific ‘rebirth’ known as the...
Q3.Which of these best describes Lucretius' De rerum natura?
Q4.Humanists were interested in the world of ancient Greece and Rome.
Q5.When Niccoli received Bracciolini's copy of De rerum natura he it.
Q6.Where did humanists like Petrarch and Bracciolini find classical documents?
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: The background to the Renaissance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: The background to the Renaissance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Renaissance: what do the artefacts of the Renaissance tell us about it? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.