Introduction

The time period from approximately 1550-1608 a.d. is considered to be the Elizabethan age in England.  During  this time, life and culture were considerably different than our lives in The United States today. This time period falls within what is considered to be The Renaissance in Europe.

Renaissance n 1: the period of European history at the close of the Middle Ages and the rise of the modern world; a
  cultural rebirth from the 14th through the middle of the 17th centuries [syn: Renaissance] 2: the revival of learning and
  culture [syn: rebirth, renascence] 

  Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University

In this WebQuest, you will explore life in Elizabethan England during the Renaissance.

Essential Question:

How were aspects of daily life during the Renaissance in England different from the lifestyle you are accustomed to today? Tell us about it!
 
 

Your group will be responsible for researching and creating a Powerpoint presentation on various "Aspects of Daily Life." You must address each of the following topics:

• World Events;
• Political Figures (choose 1);
• Health & Medicine;
• Exploration (who went where;what did they find);
• Clothing;
• Housing;
• Food - meals & manners;
• Theater (plays and playwrights);
• Art & Music (innovators and innovations);
• Entertainment;
• Provide a map of your city/country

Your work does not necessarily need to be presented in this order.

Originality counts!!! Try to choose people and things that are unique.

To accomplish the task, you must:

1. Be assigned to a team of no more than 3 students.

2. Decide what roles will be required of your group members. Each group should have:

a. The Team Leader is responsible for keeping the group on task, focused, and should keep track of the time. The Team Leader will also be in charge of the presentation.

b. The Record Keeper is responsible for keeping track of the information, where you found it, and appropriate citations.

c. The Graphic Artist is responsible for leading the group in displaying information accurately and creatively in the Powerpoint presentation. (Don't clutter your screen. Remember, less is more!)

3. As a group you are responsible for accumulating information on each of the "Aspects of Daily Living." (Task Definition)

4. Visit the Renaissance Pathfinder to link you to helpful websites and valuable library materials. (Information seeking strategy; location and access)

5. Create a graphic organizer using Inspiration to organize your information as you acquire it. (Use of information)

6. Once all of your information is gathered, begin creating your visual presentation using Powerpoint. (Synthesis)

Internet and Print Resources

Click here to access the Renaissance Pathfinder.

The Renaissance Pathfinder is your key to finding information quickly and efficiently. Remember, cite your sources when you find material.

Click here to access Noodle Tools
http://www.noodletools.com/noodlebib/index.php

Visit Noodlebib to learn the proper format for citing books, websites, photos, etc... First, you must select a citation. It will tell you how to do the rest.

This will help you IMMENSELY with your bibliography.

******YOU MUST CREDIT YOUR SOURCES.******

Evaluation

Your grade will be based on your individual contributions to your group. You will also be graded on your final Powerpoint presentation, which will be a cumulative group effort.

Please review the project rubric below to see how you will be graded.

Click here to view Project Rubric
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/view_rubric.php3?id=156617

It would be a great idea to print this rubric and keep it handy, don't you think?

Conclusion

During this activity, you have learned about life and culture during a very different time in our world's history. You have compared life in Elizabethan England with your own. You have also exercised The Big6 strategies for research.

Something to consider for further research....

Think about your ethnic background. What was life in that country like during this same time period? How does it compare to your life today? Are there any customs that overlap?

Thank you to Sue Staehly of the East Haddam Free Public Library for permission to use her Renaissance Pathfinder.