7th Grade Jump Start - Social Studies: Week 4

Social Studies

Week 4 - Day 1

(Renaissance) Essential Question: 

How do new ideas change the way people live?

• Explore this Renaissance Overview website to learn about the Medici Family and the big ideas related to the Italian Renaissance.
• Read this article about the Italian Renaissance- Newsela to gain a broader understanding of the impact of the Renaissance.
• Travel around Europe via Google Earth : Following da Vinci and look into the life of the artist and engineer, Leonardo da Vinci.
• IXL- Renaissance Origins
• IXL- Italian Renaissance

Social Studies

Week 4 - Day 2

(Reformation) Essential Question:  

Why does conflict develop? How do new ideas change the way people live?

• Watch this Protestant Reformation video for an overview of the conflicts that people had with the Catholic Church and the efforts they made to change its structure.
• Watch this Martin Luther animated video to find out about his 95 Theses and the impact he had on Christianity. 
• Explore the Invention and History of the Printing Press website to find out how this innovation made the Reformation possible.
• IXL- The Reformation

Social Studies

Week 4 - Day 3

(Scientific Revolution) Essential Question: 

How do new ideas change the way people live?

• Read Science, Theology, and the Copernican Revolution- Newsela to find out about how new ideas paved the way for scientific advancement.
• Learn about Isaac Newton by watching this Newton Biography video. 
• Read the Galileo biography webpage to learn about his discoveries.
• Find out more about the “Father of Modern Science” by watching this Galileo video.

Social Studies

Week 4 - Day 4

(The Americas) Essential Questions: 

How does geography influence the way people live? What makes a culture unique? Why do civilizations rise and fall? 

• Watch this Ancient Maya video to learn about the details of their civilization. 
• Explore the Google Earth Maya Ruins by clicking on various sites to see images and captions.
• Watch this Introduction to the Aztecs video to learn about their civilization.
• Watch The Rise and Fall of the Inca Empire- TED Ed to find out how they came to power and what happened to the Inca when the Spanish invaded their land.

Social Studies

Week 4 - Day 5

(Age of Exploration and Trade) Essential Questions: 

Why do civilizations rise and fall? How does technology change the way people live? Why do people make economic choices?

• Learn about how exploration began for Europeans by watching Khan Academy- Origins of European Explorers. 
• Click Google Earth: Explorers Age of Encounter and scroll down on the left side - Explorers: Age of Encounter. Start with Columbus and  read and watch the videos.  There are four screens per explorer.
• IXL- Age of Exploration