Activity: “Unraveling the Secrets of Venice”

Desired Outcome: I can use my knowledge of the historical period of Venice to interpret the evidence and present an informed view.

Introduction: 1. Begin the activity by discussing the historical significance of Venice as a city-state and its impact on European history. 2. Explain that students will be exploring the historical period of Venice and its society through various sources of evidence.

Activity Steps:

Step 1: Investigating Primary Sources 1. Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a set of primary sources related to Venice’s history (e.g., maps, paintings, letters, diaries, etc.). 2. Instruct students to analyze the primary sources and discuss what they can infer about the society, events, and people of Venice during the given historical period. 3. Encourage students to consider the perspectives and biases of the sources they are examining.

Step 2: Researching Secondary Sources 1. Provide students with a list of recommended secondary sources (books, articles, websites) about Venice’s history. 2. Instruct students to conduct research using these sources to gather additional information about the historical period of Venice. 3. Encourage students to critically evaluate the reliability and credibility of the sources they find.

Step 3: Creating an Informed View 1. Ask each group to present their findings and interpretations of the historical period of Venice to the class. 2. Encourage students to support their views with evidence from both primary and secondary sources. 3. Facilitate a class discussion where students can compare and contrast different interpretations and perspectives.

Step 4: Reflecting on Learning 1. Ask students to individually reflect on the activity and write a short paragraph summarizing what they have learned about the historical period of Venice. 2. Encourage students to consider how their understanding of the past can shape their views and interpretations of historical events.

Extension Activity: 1. Challenge students to create a visual representation (e.g., poster, infographic) that highlights key aspects of Venice’s history and society during the chosen historical period. 2. Display the visual representations around the classroom and allow students to explain their creations to their peers.

Assessment: Assess students based on their ability to analyze primary and secondary sources, present an informed view supported by evidence, and actively participate in class discussions.