ÌÇÐÄVlog

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ÌÇÐÄVlog

Last updated

31 May 2026

pptx, 50.5 MB
pptx, 50.5 MB

This fully resourced lesson explores the concept of patronage during the Renaissance and examines how the Medici family used their wealth to shape Florence’s cultural, political and artistic development. Students investigate why powerful families invested heavily in artists, architects, scholars and public buildings, and how patronage helped the Medici gain influence and secure their legacy.

The lesson begins by revisiting key Renaissance knowledge before introducing the concept of patronage through discussion, opinion and enquiry-based activities. Students explore the wealth of the Medici Bank, examine examples of Medici-sponsored projects and investigate the role of Cosimo de’ Medici as one of the most influential patrons of the Renaissance.

Through guided activities, research tasks and structured historical writing, students develop an understanding of how patronage influenced art, architecture, education and politics in Renaissance Florence. A Patron’s Portfolio task encourages students to investigate different aspects of Cosimo’s investments and evaluate how successful he was in achieving his aims.

The lesson concludes with an extended historical explanation supported by clear writing structures, self-assessment opportunities and mark scheme analysis. Throughout, students develop historical knowledge, source interpretation, evaluation and extended writing skills.

A complete lesson requiring minimal preparation.

Keywords

Renaissance, Florence, Medici Family, Cosimo de’ Medici, Patronage, Renaissance Art, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Renaissance Architecture, Renaissance Italy, Banking, Wealth and Power, Cultural History, Historical Enquiry, Critical Thinking, Humanities, Ready to Teach, Fully Resourced, Differentiated Lesson, Secondary History, Middle School History.

  • Activities Included
  • Renaissance retrieval starter
  • Think-Pair-Share discussion activities
  • Emoji opinion and interpretation task
  • Discussion on wealth, power and influence
  • Medici banking investigation
  • Exploration of Renaissance patronage examples
  • Fill-in-the-gaps literacy activity
  • Cosimo de’ Medici profile study
  • Patron’s Portfolio research task
  • Independent enquiry and note-making activity
  • Evaluation of patronage aims and outcomes
  • Extended historical writing task
  • Structured PEE explanation activity
  • Self-assessment opportunities
  • Mark scheme analysis
  • Student answer assessment tasks
  • Think-Pair-Share plenary
  • Stretch and challenge activities
  • Football history extension linked to ACF Fiorentina
  • Reflection and review activities

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 76%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Bundle

Renaissance History Bundle – 12 Complete Lessons

This bundle brings together twelve fully resourced lessons covering the key people, ideas, events and developments of the Renaissance. Designed for secondary and middle school students, the sequence takes learners from the origins of the Renaissance in the Italian city states through to the major cultural, scientific and artistic changes that transformed Europe. Across the unit, students explore topics including the rise of Florence, the Medici family, patronage, Humanism, Renaissance art, Leonardo da Vinci, Andreas Vesalius, the printing press, Venice, the Islamic world's contribution to Renaissance learning, and the development of Renaissance medicine. Throughout the sequence, students build a secure understanding of how different factors combined to create one of the most significant periods of change in world history. As with all Wolsey Academy Premium Lessons, every lesson includes a range of differentiated activities, retrieval practice, literacy support, assessment opportunities, model answers, mark schemes and explicit teaching of historical writing and examination skills. Students regularly engage with success criteria, assess exemplar responses and improve their own work through structured feedback activities. The lessons are designed to work as a coherent enquiry-based unit whilst also functioning effectively as stand-alone lessons. A variety of discussion tasks, source investigations, research activities, extended writing opportunities, projects and presentations help students develop both historical knowledge and transferable analytical skills. The bundle also includes access to a Renaissance Medicine RPG Adventure. Students can explore an interactive online world inspired by Renaissance Europe, speak to historical characters, investigate key locations and complete an accompanying task booklet as they uncover the medical developments of the period. This provides an engaging enrichment opportunity and helps bring Renaissance history to life beyond the classroom. Ideal for teachers seeking a complete Renaissance unit with strong curriculum coverage, clear progression and minimal preparation requirements. Topics Included * Why Did the Renaissance Begin in Italy? * The Printing Press * Why Were the Medici So Successful? * The Medici and Patronage * Lorenzo de' Medici * Leonardo da Vinci * Humanism * Renaissance Art * Andreas Vesalius and Renaissance Medicine * How Did the Islamic World Help Create the Renaissance? * The Italian City States * The Republic of Venice Renaissance, Renaissance Italy, Florence, Venice, Medici Family, Humanism, Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance Art, Printing Press, Andreas Vesalius, Renaissance Medicine, Islamic Golden Age, Córdoba, Italian City States, Historical Enquiry, Critical Thinking, Humanities, Fully Resourced, Wolsey Academy Premium Lesson, RPG History Game, Interactive Learning, Secondary History, Middle School History.

£12.00

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