Popular Culture Lesson

Student Teacher Name: Stephanie Linford Date of Lesson:12/2/2020

Grade Level(s): 7th Grade Subject Area(s): Social Science Duration: 75 Minutes
History & Social Science Content Standard: 7.8.5 Detail advances made in literature, the arts, science,
mathematics, cartography, engineering, and the understanding of human anatomy and astronomy (e.g.,
by Dante Alighieri, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo di Buonarroti Simoni, Johann Gutenberg, William
Shakespeare).

Learning Objective: The students will be able to analyze Mr. Nicky “The Renaissance” music video,
compare and contrast it, and identify influences from the advances made in Renaissance time period. Discuss
forms of popular culture for the past and connect to popular culture of today.

Materials: Access to Internet, Textbook, and Music Video.

Student Readiness Levels and Prior Learning: Students have been introduced to global events from the
14th to 17th century .

Student Interests and Assets: Based on the responses of the popular culture survey, students shared a wide
variety of interest in music genres pop and rap. In order to engage them and encourage student interaction
they will listen and analyze Mr.Nicky pop music video and make a connection to the advances of the
Renaissance.

LESSON PLAN SYNTAX

Opening to the • As students enter the classroom they are greeted by THE RENAISSANCE song
Lesson by Mr. Nicky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFzeuIzSI_I
• Each student receives a copy of the assignment instructions and has a copy of the
TCI textbook Lesson 28

Modeling • Teacher asks students: “What advances were made during the Renaissance? How
is the popular culture of the passed related today?”
• Students will have access to review video as needed and use TCI textbook Lesson
28: Florance The Cradle of the Renaissance.
• The class discusses and reflects about how Mr.Nicky music video illustrates or
does not illustrate the Renaissance in 14th-17th century in Italy.
Guided Practice • The teacher says to the class: “Hello Class, Today we will explore Italy in the
14th century when the Renaissance began which was a time for many advances in
Architecture, Engineering, Painting, Science, Mathematics, Sculpture, Literature,
and Politics. We will dive into the works of the famous Leanardo da Vinci and
Michaelangelo that were influenced by other classical artists before their times.
We will explore the modern culture of the past and connect it to the modern
culture of today.
• Images of their Artist’s works are issued to the students.
• Teacher and students have a copy TCI textbook Lesson 28 open.
• Students share ideas and information about the related text.
• The teacher asks students to choose one or more advances they are interested in
writing about.
• The teacher plays the Mr.Nicky video for the students to hear and see.
• Ask students if they recognize any events from the music video that connects to
the Renaissance during the 14th-17th century.
• Students get to share their ideas with the group and each other.
• Students get to ask questions and clarify any misunderstandings
• Students have the option to work in pairs or individually. 


Independent • Students will choose one or more advances made during the Renaissance to
Practice research on their own, and write a short reflection on how popular culture of the
past influence the popular culture of today.
• Students that are in pairs need to write their own short reflection.

Closure • Formative Assessment: Students will end class by writing their own song lyric
or poem; choosing one or more advances made during the Renaissance.
• Summative Assessment: Students write a 1-page reflection on the research
question: 

How does the popular culture of the past influence the popular culture of today?

Top Responses:
What is your Favorite? (107 Seventh Grade Responses at Madrona Middle School)

1) Movie Jumanji
2) Show None. Funniest answer-I don't like to watch TV, and my dad got rid of cable last week
3) Actor/ActressWill Smith
4) Type of Music POP/RAP
5) Singer/Rapper Ariana Grande
6) Music Group none
7) Hobby Drawing/Video Games
8) YouTube Channel or Personality Game Theory
9) Emoji 😂
 10) App Youtube/TikTok
11) Video Game Minecraft/Among Us/FortNite
12) Clothing Brand Nike
13) Sport Soccer/Baseball
14) Sports Team Dodgers
15) Athlete Koby/Lebron
16) Book Harry Potter
17) Snacks Takis
18) Phrase Bruh/Sup
19) Meme None
20) Restaurant Olive Garden
21) Dessert Ice Cream
22) Hero Spider Man Favorite Answer-My dad, My Parents

Reflection:

I took delight in collecting data from my student’s popular culture survey. I was in 7th grade about

fifteen years ago. Originally, when given this survey in Dr. Collatos’ class I was able to predict two right

responses which were favorite music and app. After, reviewing 107 students’ responses, It came as a surprise

that we have many of the same interests. It felt good knowing that we enjoyed similar food, music, movies,

singers, and actors. The majority of us love Ariana Grande and ice cream. The results of this survey made me

realize that my students and I relate in many ways. My students have many similar and different interests from

one another. It was an amazing experience to write a lesson plan with a popular culture influence and a creative

approach to exploring the Renaissance. I hope that this lesson plan teaches students to make connections to the

different influences and recognize popular culture throughout time. It is beneficial for a teacher to know the

interests of their students and the students of the teacher. I have been able to use these results in class to engage

students and create a discussion that benefits students’ success. Students enjoy hearing that they have similar

interests as their educators. It creates an open space to share ideas, thoughts, and information. This lesson plan

has contributed to making our class connection stronger and opened up new opportunities to learn.