Target Curriculum: World History and Social Science
Target Grades: 8
SOLs: HSS 8.6 and 8.10
Time: 50 minutes (one, 50-minute block)
Objective and Goals:
To help students describe, analyze, and evaluate the history of the Byzantine Empire and Russia from about 300 to 1000 A.D., in terms of its impact on Western Civilization, with emphasis on:
- · the preservation of Greek and Roman traditions;
- Byzantine art and architecture; and
- Byzantine influence on Russia, Eastern Europe, and the Western World
Purpose:
To provide students with a historical perspective of the Byzantine Empire and its contributions to Western civilization, and to provide students with the opportunity to view the art and architectural contributions to mankind with particular attention focused on the historical themes of Change, Innovation, Relation to Environment, and Cultural Diffusion.
Materials:
Student text, wall map, photos, notebook, paper, pencil, colored pencils, ruler, and student graphic organizer shell (outline/study aid to be completed by the students).
Procedure:
Activity 1:INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE (30 Minutes)
- 1. Show students pictures of art and architecture in current-day Turkey.
- Discuss reasons for the emphasis on religious art during the Byzantine Empire.
- Discuss the process of mosaics as an art form and the use of icons as art and as religious symbols.
Activity 2:GRAPHIC ORGANIZER (20 minutes)
- Have each student use his/her notes and the text to complete a graphic organizer shell by identifying: the artistic/architectural accomplishments/contributions of the Byzantine Empire; and the influence of the Byzantine Empire on Russia, Eastern Europe, the Third Rome and Western Civilization.
- Discuss the completed Graphic Organizer and ensure that every student has an accurate organizer that can be utilized as a study guide.
Observation:
This lesson permits the teacher to observe a variety of learning activities and allows the teacher to assess the retention of previously presented materials as well as the ability of the students to assimilate new information and differentiate the various forms of Byzantine art and architecture.
Conclusions:
Students will be able recognize the unique contributions of the Byzantine Empire in the world of art and architecture.
For Your Information:
There is a multitude of resources to assist in the presentation of this lesson. Listed below are some of the websites that can be utilized as readily available resources:
- http://www.mci.com/marcopolo: provides both classroom activities and lesson plans as well as a listing of panel-reviewed/approved web sites that can be safely used for in-class activities.
- http://www.nationalgeographic.com: links to National Geographic Society web sites.
- http://www.nationalgeographic.com/resources/ngo/education: provides link to National Geographic Society and student-friendly web sites, and includes maps, student assemblies to ask questions, bulletin boards and classroom ideas.
- http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html: contains informa-tion used by government agencies on geographical, demographic, government, economic and infrastructure data.
- http://city.net: contains information on areas and countries of the world.
- http://www.nmnh.si.edu/departments/anthro.html: provides anthropology notes from the Smithsonian Institution, including recent research, teaching strategies, and a national network of anthropologists, archaeologists, and others.
- http://www.cis.yale.edu/pieris: provides the ability to conduct on-line browsing of a Teaching Resource Collection Library and includes a directory of approximately 5000 educational audio-visual and print resources on Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia and global issues.
Evaluation:
Time permitting, administer a 10-minute quiz to assess students' understanding of the subject matter.
Extension:
- Encourage students to look for examples of Byzantine architecture and art in their environment.
- Provide students with web sites that provide additional information regarding the Byzantine Empire.
Cautions and Concerns:
This lesson should be presented in conjunction with a broad range of visual materials. Time permitting, students should be afforded the opportunity to view one of several excellent videos.
Written By: Kjeld F. Christensen
Submitted By: Kjeld F. Christensen
Grade Taught: 9 - 9
School: Woodbridge Senior High School
Division: Prince William County Schools