Inquiry Essay Project: To what extent is Calgary a Renaissance

city?

Essential Questions:
What are the qualities of a Renaissance city?
Is the Renaissance the origin of the Western worldview?
Is Calgary a Renaissance city? To what extent? What qualities does it meet and not
meet?

Learner Competencies:
Globally Aware
Global awareness is the understanding of an interconnected world and a citizen's
role within society.

Civically Engaged
Civic engagement reflects a commitment to democratic governance, social
participation, and advocacy.

Critical Thinker
Critical thinkers engage in reflective reasoning to build deep understanding that is
supported by evidence.

Information and Media Literate
Information and media literate students use technology to explore and build
knowledge in an ethical and responsible way.

Key Understandings
The Renaissance is the origin of the Western Worldview
The Western Worldview is hegemonic in Calgary
There are certain qualities that must be met to be considered Renaissance
Main components of the Italian Renaissance are still present today, albeit in
different forms.
The research process clarifies and extends knowledge
Written work and essay writing is a valuable and necessary skill

Authenticity:
Students are afforded the opportunity to build links between historical events/ideas
and modern day life
Students will research two areas to build their knowledge, specific to the topic of
local affairs
Students will evaluate to what extent Calgary SHOULD meet the qualities of a
Renaissance City

The Pitch




Learning Plan: (Workflow)

Learning Goal Task Description UDL
Strategies
Balanced
Assessment
2 Classes:
Accessing
background
knowledge: What are
the qualities of a
Renaissance city? (in
terms of the topics
studied in class:
social organization
trade and contact
with other countries,
humanism,
expansion of
ideas/technologies,
and leadership)

Students will work to fill in a
mind map (mindmeister), which
is teacher created and features
guiding questions. Students
should not feel limited by these
questions, but rather view them
as guideposts to direct them.


Mindmeister:
https://www.mindmeister.com
/356132447#info

Students will
fill in the
mind map
using
information
from their
notes, in class
assignments,
textbooks, as
well as the
internet.

Students can
use links to
websites, text,
pictures, and
video to fill in
the mind map.

Although
students will
be required to
fill in at least
a few things
for each topic,
they will be
allowed (and
in fact
encouraged)
to develop
one or two
areas further.

The teacher
will review
the students
mind map and
provide more
guiding
questions and
information,
as necessary.
Mind map will
be used as
formative
assessment:
assessment as
learning.
Students have
learned all the
information
previously
they know need
to put it
together into a
cohesive whole
to get a big
picture look of
what qualities
are necessary
for a
Renaissance
City

2 classes:
What qualities does
Calgary have that
makes (or does not
Using the mind map from part
one as a guide, students will
begin filling in how Calgary fits
this criteria. Students have to
Students will
be able to
choose how
they organize
The
information
students find
will be
make) it a
Renaissance city?

their
information
checklist,
outline,
mindmap,
powerpoint,
etc.

Images can be
used, as well
as text.

Students can
draw
research from
multiple
resources
websites,
newspaper
articles,
quotes,
magazines,
policy
documents,
etc.

formatively
assessed
through
conversations
in class, with
both peers and
teacher.

The students
will submit
their research
and thoughts
for a mark,
based on a
checklist.
3 classes:
Essay Format and
how to write the
essay
Students will be introduced to
the essay format, and narrow
their essay topic to two or three
specific features they want to
research.

Students will
create various
graphic
organizers
and outlines
for their essay
to help them
brainstorm
and organize
their essays,
as well as
becoming
familiar with
the essay
format.
The essay
outlines will be
submitted.

3 classes:
Essay Writing
The essays will
be assessed
based on a
rubric.

Develop Criteria/Rubrics for Assessment:

Checklist to assess the research/ideas particular to Calgary as a Renaissance city
Essay outlines
Essay assessed based on a rubric

Resources:
Need to get essay writing materials from Nancy
Need to discuss with Laurel the best way to accommodate/modify


Curriculum / Curricular Outcomes:
General Outcome 2
appreciate how Renaissance Europe formed the basis for the worldview of the
Western world
recognize how beliefs and values are shaped by time, geographic location and
societal context
examine, critically, the factors that shaped the worldview evolving in western
Europe during the Renaissance
o How did the Renaissance spark the growth and exchange of ideas and
knowledge across Europe (i.e., astronomy, mathematics, science, politics,
religion, arts)?
o How did the physical geography of Renaissance Europe affect trade and
competition among European countries?
o How did increased trade lead to the emergence of powerful city-states (i.e.,
Florence, Venice, Genoa)?
o In what ways did thinkers and philosophers influence society in the
development of a humanist worldview during the Renaissance?
Skills and Processes:
analyze the validity of information based on context, bias, source, objectivity,
evidence and reliability to broaden understanding of a topic or an issue
analyze the historical contexts of key events of a given time period
propose and apply new ideas and strategies, supported with facts and reasons, to
contribute to problem solving and decision making
integrate and synthesize concepts to provide an informed point of view on a
research question or an issue
develop a position that is supported by information gathered through research
draw conclusions based upon research and evidence
determine how information serves a variety of purposes and organize and
synthesize researched information
formulate new questions as research progresses
communicate in a persuasive and engaging manner through written reports, taking
particular audiences and purposes into consideration