9. The early modern age. Humanism and the Renaissance
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Each group is going to present their work. Begin by explaining Da Vinci’s
invention. Then present the one designed by your group. Use the following
structure to help you:
– Da Vinci’s invention (function, materials).
– Your invention:
– Name of the invention.
– Material it is made of.
– What it can be used for.
– How it works. Draw a simplified version of your design to explain.
Finally, have a class debate about the pros and cons of the groups’
inventions.
You could make a mural with all your inventions and vote for the most useful and original
ones. You could also take pictures of your inventions and post them on the class blog.
Communication and publication
❚
Create your own invention
When you have analysed one of Da Vinci’s inventions, you will be
able to develop your own.
– Think of a device that has not been invented yet and is needed
or would make people’s lives easier.
– Draw a design for your original idea on a piece of paper, as Da
Vinci would have done.
– Give your invention a name.
Final task
1.
What have you gained from learning about Leonardo de Vinci’s character?
2.
Have you learned to think creatively? Are you capable of inventing devices to meet your needs and those of
others?
3.
What did you try to resolve with your invention? Do you think it could be useful to others? How?
4.
Many of Da Vinci’s ideas were never put into practice. Do you think speculation is useful or a waste of time?
5.
Has learning about Europe at the beginning of the Early Modern Age helped you to understand the world you
live in better?
6.
As you have seen, the world changes without us realising. In what ways is the world changing at the moment?
7.
What have you learned from the other groups’ inventions? Which one did you think was the best and why?
8.
What did you contribute to the group task?
9.
What have you gained from doing this task?
SELF-ASSESSMENT
Top: Pages from
a notebook of Da Vinci
containing sketches and notes
