Renaissance Debates

Lina, Brenda and David- our Magellans
Danny, Andrew, Faris and Amy- our Brunelleschis

Because we have so few days to teach the Renaissance, we kill about eight birds with one stone by having the kids take on the role of a Renaissance Man and prove why they are the greatest influence on modern society. So the kids for a day become William Shakespeare, Fillipo Brunelleschi, Johann Gutenberg, Leonardo da vinci, Michelangelo and Ferdinand Magellan. The students are divided up into debate teams (they pick who can debate 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) and they try to prove to me why they are the greatest person of the Renaissance. I've read biographies about all these men and let's just say some of the things that I heard in this debate are far cries from what they might actually say. Read on for more entertainment.

"If you didn't have the lantern, you couldn't go camping!"
- Andrew, as Brunelleschi


"What would happen if there was no gas in your helicopter- which I inveted. Well, I invented the parachute too so you wouldn't die."
-Geo as da Vinci


"Why am I the greatest person of the Renaissance? Um, because I'm cool."
-Manny, as Magellan

"I made it easier to send letters to peoeple who were in a war."
-Nick, as Gutenberg (although no mention of Gutenberg Bible.... hm....)

"You know, you look good with tape on your mouth!"
- debating got a little heated and I don't remember who said this but I did write it down :)

and probably my favorite (although I did almost fall off my chair I was laughing so hard at Andrew's quote...)

"I made it harder for people to make good art that's better than mine because i'm so good."
-Sean, as Michelangelo

Love it!

Clash of the Titans: Leonardos versus Gutenbergs


Tuyen, Andrew, Geo and Alyssa strategizing for the da Vincis

Ariel, Vu, Eli and Ana preparing to defend Gutenberg

Edgar, Jessica and Yanira- our Shakespeares

Did Michelangelo get his inspiration from the heavens? That's what Nick seems to be indicating, joined by Lydia, Jonathan and Dennis