Lammas: The Renaissance Begins
The 'rebirth' of classical learning transforms Europe. From Florence to the studios of Leonardo, we explore a revolution in art, thought, and human potential.
UU Principle Focus
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand the origins of the Renaissance in Italy
- • Explore Renaissance humanism and its connection to UU values
- • Analyze Renaissance art techniques and their innovations
- • Master proportional relationships and their graphs
- • Understand cell structure, function, and division
- • Connect harvest abundance to creative and intellectual abundance
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: The Italian Renaissance Begins
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Renaissance means 'rebirth'—a rediscovery of classical learning. What ideas or passions would you like to rediscover or explore more deeply?
📚 Language Arts
Introduction to the Renaissance. Florence as the birthplace. The Medici family. Write about what 'rebirth' means to you.
✖️ Math
Review ratios and proportions. Introduction to proportional relationships. Constant of proportionality.
🔬 Science: Life Science
Introduction to cells: the basic unit of life. Cell theory. Microscope use and observation.
✏️ Form Drawing
Renaissance perspective drawing—vanishing points
🧶 Handwork
Begin wheat weaving for Lammas; sketch Renaissance designs
📖 Story
The Medici: Bankers Who Changed the World
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Renaissance Introduction
- Cell Theory for Kids
Shows:
- The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance
Audio:
- The Renaissance audiobook
Week 2: Humanism: A New Way of Thinking
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Humanists believed in human potential and dignity. How does this connect to our 1st Principle? What are humans capable of achieving?
📚 Language Arts
Study Renaissance humanism. Petrarch, the 'Father of Humanism.' Read humanist writings. Write about human potential.
✖️ Math
Graphing proportional relationships. Recognizing proportional relationships in tables and graphs.
🔬 Science: Life Science
Plant cells vs. animal cells. Cell organelles: nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts. Create cell models.
✏️ Form Drawing
Continue perspective drawing—interiors and architecture
🧶 Handwork
Continue Lammas crafts; begin illuminated journal
📖 Story
Petrarch and the Rediscovery of the Classics
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Humanism Explained
- Plant vs Animal Cells
Shows:
- The Day the Universe Changed
Audio:
- Renaissance Lives audiobook
Week 3: Renaissance Art: A Revolution in Seeing
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Renaissance artists studied the world closely to represent it accurately. How does careful observation change how we see the world?
📚 Language Arts
Study Renaissance art techniques: perspective, chiaroscuro, sfumato. Analyze famous paintings. Write an art analysis.
✖️ Math
Equations of proportional relationships: y = kx. Finding k from tables, graphs, and equations.
🔬 Science: Life Science
Cell processes: diffusion and osmosis. How cells get what they need. Experiments with eggs.
✏️ Form Drawing
Chiaroscuro practice—light and shadow
🧶 Handwork
Create art using Renaissance techniques; bread baking
📖 Story
The Artists of Florence: Brunelleschi, Donatello, Botticelli
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Renaissance Art Techniques
- Osmosis and Diffusion
Shows:
- The Private Life of a Masterpiece
Audio:
- Vasari's Lives of the Artists
Week 4: Leonardo da Vinci: The Universal Man
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Leonardo was curious about everything—art, science, engineering, nature. What would it mean to be a 'Renaissance person' today?
📚 Language Arts
Study Leonardo da Vinci: artist, scientist, inventor. Analyze his notebooks. Write about a topic you'd like to explore deeply.
✖️ Math
Comparing proportional relationships. Which is the better deal? Slope as rate of change.
🔬 Science: Life Science
Cell division: mitosis. Why cells divide. The cell cycle. Cancer as uncontrolled division.
✏️ Form Drawing
Leonardo-style observation drawings—hands, faces, nature
🧶 Handwork
Create a Lammas altar; design inventions in a notebook
📖 Story
Leonardo da Vinci: Genius of the Renaissance
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Leonardo da Vinci Documentary
- Mitosis Explained
Shows:
- Inside the Mind of Leonardo
Audio:
- Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson
Week 5: Lammas Celebration & Renaissance Feast
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Renaissance celebrated human creativity and the abundance of ideas. At Lammas, we celebrate the abundance of the harvest. What creative 'harvest' are you grateful for?
📚 Language Arts
Write a reflection on creativity and abundance. Complete Renaissance art projects. Present research on a Renaissance figure.
✖️ Math
Review proportional relationships. Real-world applications: recipes, maps, scale models.
🔬 Science: Life Science
Review cells. Create a final cell project or presentation.
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a Renaissance-style border for Lammas celebration page
🧶 Handwork
Complete Lammas crafts; prepare celebration feast
📖 Story
The Feast of Ideas: Renaissance Celebrations
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Lammas Traditions
- Cell Review
Shows:
- The Renaissance
Audio:
- Renaissance music and stories
🌾 Lammas Celebration
- 🟡 Host a Renaissance-themed feast with period foods
- 🟡 Display Renaissance art projects and cell models
- 🟡 Share research presentations on Renaissance figures
- 🟡 Bake bread and share the harvest abundance
- 🟡 Create a harvest altar celebrating creativity
- 🟡 Reflect on human potential and the gifts of learning
📚 Recommended Resources
Read-Alouds & Literature
- • Leonardo da Vinci (Walter Isaacson) - excerpts
- • The Second Mrs. Giaconda (E.L. Konigsburg)
- • I, Juan de Pareja (Elizabeth Borton de Treviño)
Reference
- • DK Eyewitness: Renaissance
- • Sister Wendy's Story of Painting
- • The Cell (DK Eyewitness)