P R E V I E W

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Leading Figures of the Renaissance 1

In what ways have various leading figures of the Renaissance affected modern society?

Leading Figures of the Renaissance

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

Choose a political leader, artist, entertainer, or other well-known figure who you think has been influential in the period from 1900 to the present day. A list of suggestions has been provided below, or you can choose someone else who fits one of the categories. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, do the following:• Name the person you have chosen. • Briefly describe the person and why you chose him or her. • Name at least three of the person’s talents, accomplishments, or achievements.• Explain why he or she has been influential.

LeadersNelson MandelaMahatma GandhiRonald ReaganBarack Obama

Artists and EntertainersBanksyThe BeatlesElvis PresleyJ.K. RowlingWalt Disney

Inventors, Scientists, and Business PersonsHenry FordBill GatesElon MuskJonas SalkAlbert Einstein

Heroes and IconsLoung UngNeil ArmstrongMartin Luther King, Jr.Pope FrancisMalala Yousafzai

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1. How did Renaissance ideas spread from Italy to the rest of Europe?

2. How did Gutenberg’s printing press improve upon existing printing methods?

3. How did the printing press help to spread new ideas, discoveries, and inventions?

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

Section 1

R E A D I N G N O T E S

Social Studies VocabularyAs you complete the Reading Notes, use these terms in your answers.

Johannes Gutenberg William ShakespeareNew World Miguel Cervantes

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Leading Figures of the Renaissance 3

Sections 2 to 11

Section 2

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

Section 3

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

If your class is doing the activity for this lesson, complete all the Reading Notes for each section. (Note: If your class is not doing the activity, skip Question 2 under each section.)

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I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

Section 4

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

Section 5

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

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I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

Section 6

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

Section 7

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

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I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

Section 8

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

Section 9

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

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I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

Section 10

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

Section 11

1. Name: Title (from section title):

Lived (years of birth and death):

From (the place):

Personality and Training:

Talents and Achievements:

2. I think Pedestal ______ represents this figure because

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I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

P R O C E S S I N G

You are hosting a dinner party for leading Renaissance figures. The guest list will include the ten figures you learned about in this lesson. Your goal is for all your guests to enjoy lively conversation throughout a Renaissance feast.

You must decide where your guests will sit. As you decide where to place each guest, consider what you know about his or her language, personality, training, talents, and achievements so that everyone has something to talk about with nearby guests at the table.

On a separate sheet of paper, copy the drawing below. At each chair, create a place card that has the guest’s name, or sketch the face, and write his or her title from the section title in the Student Text. Leave space around the table to write one or two sentences that answer the following question for each guest: Why did you seat this person where you did?

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I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

R E A D I N G F U R T H E R

Preparing to Write: Developing an Argument and Supporting Details Many times, we have a choice when we access reading material. We can either choose print media, such as books and newspapers, or digital media, such as eBooks and the Internet. What are the strengths of each? What are the weaknesses of each?

Decide what you want to tell your readers about criteria they should use when choosing between print and digital media. Write a position statement that gives your overall opinion here.

List at least four details that support your opinion. The details should consist of logical reasons, facts, examples, and personal experiences. 1.

2.

3.

4.

Strengths Weaknesses

Print Media

Digital Media

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Writing a Persuasive ParagraphNow use your thinking from the previous page to write a persuasive paragraph. Begin with your position statement. Then present each of your supporting details in full sentences, in a clear and logical way.

Use this rubric to evaluate your persuasive paragraph. Make changes in your paragraph if you need to.

Score Description

3 The paragraph has a direct and forceful position statement. It includes excellent supporting details, including logical reasons, facts, examples, and personal experience. The paragraph is logically organized. There are no errors in spelling or grammar.

2 The paragraph has a satisfactory position statement. It includes good supporting details, including some logical reasons, facts, examples, and personal experience. The paragraph is adequately organized. There are some errors in spelling or grammar.

1 The paragraph lacks a position statement. It includes few supporting details. The paragraph is poorly and illogically organized. There are many errors in spelling or grammar.