Essential Question: What advances were made during the Renaissance?
Introduction:

The Renaissance began in 14th-century Italy. In this chapter, you will visit the Italian city-state of Florence to learn about a number of advances made there during the Renaissance.
Florence is located on the Arno River, just north of central Italy. The city is often called the "cradle of the Renaissance." Between 1300 and 1600, it was home to some of the greatest artists and thinkers of the Renaissance.
During the Renaissance, Florence was—as it still is—a beautiful city. One of its most notable buildings is the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its towering duomo (DWOH-moh), or dome. The cathedral was the center of the city’s religious life. Nearby is the Palazzo Vecchio (VEK-ee-oh), or Old Palace. This building was the headquarters of the city government. The grand Palazzo Medici was the home of Florence’s ruling family, the Medici. A more humble house was the Casa di Dante (kah-sah dee DAHN-tay), or Dante’s House. Dante is one of Italy’s most celebrated poets.
During the Renaissance, Florence was the banking center of Europe. People came to the Mercato Nuovo to trade their coins for florins, the gold coins of Florence. Another busy spot was the Ponte Vecchio. This beautiful bridge spanned the Arno River and, even today, is lined with the shops of fine jewelers and goldsmiths.
Florence's wealth helped to make it a leading cultural center of the Renaissance.
Florence is located on the Arno River, just north of central Italy. The city is often called the "cradle of the Renaissance." Between 1300 and 1600, it was home to some of the greatest artists and thinkers of the Renaissance.
During the Renaissance, Florence was—as it still is—a beautiful city. One of its most notable buildings is the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its towering duomo (DWOH-moh), or dome. The cathedral was the center of the city’s religious life. Nearby is the Palazzo Vecchio (VEK-ee-oh), or Old Palace. This building was the headquarters of the city government. The grand Palazzo Medici was the home of Florence’s ruling family, the Medici. A more humble house was the Casa di Dante (kah-sah dee DAHN-tay), or Dante’s House. Dante is one of Italy’s most celebrated poets.
During the Renaissance, Florence was the banking center of Europe. People came to the Mercato Nuovo to trade their coins for florins, the gold coins of Florence. Another busy spot was the Ponte Vecchio. This beautiful bridge spanned the Arno River and, even today, is lined with the shops of fine jewelers and goldsmiths.
Florence's wealth helped to make it a leading cultural center of the Renaissance.
Your Quest:
You will be given one day to research the essential question. Find websites that contain information that will help you answer your essential question. Remember to document where you find your information, and bookmark websites that contain relevant information. The student who collects the most relevant information will earn 1 point that can be added to an assignment in social studies (ie. an assignment that earns a 3 becomes a 4). All notes must be hand written. You may not copy and paste any of your notes. Students who find relevant videos need to submit them through e-mail. Good Luck, and May the Force Be With You...Always!