The Renaissance: A 6th Grade Interdisciplinary Unit

MATH/SCIENCE
FOCUS AREAS:
  • process of investigation (observe, measure, record, base ideas on facts)
  • golden ratio/Fibonnacci
  • geometry—perspective, angles, astrolabe
  • new inventions: microscope, compass, clinometer, telescope, sextant
  • facts about the natural world
    --sky/planets (demised of earth-centered universe)
    --single cells (Black Plague)
  • structure/physiology of human body (origins of disease)
  • changing facts/ideas/way of seeing the world improves human life
  • variables—idea of representing a changing quantity
  • topology—projections (spherical world to flat map, 3D to 2D)
  • mathematical/geometrical growth

Possible Criteria for topics in Math, Science and Technology within the Renaissance theme:

SUN, EARTH, and PLANETS

  1. Technological developments—telescope
  2. Astronomers' influence on current ideas
  3. Changing human view of the world

HOW TO FIND YOUR WAY

  1. Map projections
  2. Longitude calculations and clocks
  3. Latitude calculations: astrolabe, sextand
  4. Land travel and the compass
  5. Ship and land vehicle development

BLACK PLAGUE

  1. Human anatomy and microorganisms
  2. Diet, hygiene, and poverty
  3. Commerce
  4. Disease and remedies

Copyright © 2001-04, Peter Pappas, unless otherwise noted,
All rights reserved.