For many
years now, students in 8th
grade Social Studies at
SMS have been writing postcards to their loved ones from an Italian City State
back to their family on the Silk Road. This lesson exemplifies the growth of
the Italian City State during the beginnings of the Renaissance. Studying the
Renaissance is one of three case studies we study, also including the Aztec and
early Japanese civilizations. Students have a lot of fun deciding where along
the Silk Road they will come from, what kind of hardships they endured while
crossing the Silk Road, and then stating why they ended up in their particular
City State. Students are to study and research the particular Worldview of said
City State, and then decide all the reasons why they will start a new life
there. It’s an engaging introductory assignment to one of our most loved Social
Studies units. Students also love trying to find pictures of their city from
Renaissance times.
