Introduction to the Italian Renaissance Artists - 2-Introduction-to-the-Italian-Renaissance-Artists

Aug 25, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo

Lesson plan for second- and third-grade students introducing Italian Renaissance “masters” through a familiar frame: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The program presents Leonardo da Vinci, then focuses on his Mona Lisa using child-friendly historical context and an art-method note (sfumato). Next it explores Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, followed by Donatello’s sculpture David, and concludes with Raphael’s St. George Fighting the Dragon. Activities and guided questions support appreciation and understanding of why these artists mattered in history.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Objectives

Materials Required

Background

Procedures

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Hook and Discussion

Exploring Leonardo da Vinci

Exploring Michelangelo Buonarroti

HERITAGE COMMISSION Introduction to the Italian Renaissance Artists Grade Level: Second and Third Grade Subjects: Art / Language Arts / Social Studies Categories: Arts and Sciences / History and Society Standards Please see page 7 of the lesson plan for complete New Jersey Student Learning Standards alignment. Objectives: The students will be able to: 1. recognize Italian Renaissance artists. 2. appreciate the artists’works. 3. explain why these artists are known as “masters” and why their works had such an impact on history. Abstract: Students will be introduced to the Italian Renaissance masters: Leonardo, Michaelanglo, Raphael, and Donatello, through the cartoon: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The lesson starts with the turtles, and then introduces the Italian masters and their works to the students in four distinct lessons. Students will examine the genius, Leonardo da Vinci, and focus on a study of his most famous painting, the Mona Lisa. They will then explore the works of Michelangelo, with an emphasis on the painting of the Sistine Chapel. Next, they will examine Donatello and his sculpture David. Finally, students will study the great, Raphael and his masterpiece, St. George Fighting the Dragon. Materials Required: • World map or globe • Access to the internet • Access to a Library • Hardening modeling clay • Watercolors and brushes • White construction paper • Crayons and markers Page 1 of 7 © Copyright 2019 – New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission U6-LP-001 • Writing paper • Renaissance music • Copies of artists’ biographies • Copies of coloring pages • Masking tape • Several large piece of presentation foam board • Drop cloth • Toothpicks Background: Italy was the center of the early Renaissance, the “rebirth” of Roman knowledge and culture. • The Renaissance is the entry of civilization into modern times. [http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/re/Renaissance](http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/re/Renaissance) • Famous Paintings for Students [http://www.gardenofpraise.com/art.htm](http://www.gardenofpraise.com/art.htm) • Leonardo da Vinci – 1452-1519, Biography [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci) • Biography: Leonardo da Vinci [https://www.ducksters.com/biography/leonardo_da_vinci.php](https://www.ducksters.com/biography/leonardo_da_vinci.php) • Leonardo da Vinci Facts for Kids [https://kids.kiddle.co/Leonardo_da_Vinci](https://kids.kiddle.co/Leonardo_da_Vinci) • Raffaello Sanzio “Raphael” – 1483 – 1520 Biography [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffaello_Santi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffaello_Santi) • Raffaello Sant Biography for kids [http://www.kids.net.au/encyclopedia-wiki/ra/Raffaello_Santi](http://www.kids.net.au/encyclopedia-wiki/ra/Raffaello_Santi) • Donatello facts for kids [https://kids.kiddle.co/Donatello](https://kids.kiddle.co/Donatello) • Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi “Donatello” – 1386-1466 o Biography [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatello](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatello) • Michelangelo Buonarroti – 1475 – 1564, Biography [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo_Buonarroti](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo_Buonarroti) • Biographies for kids Michelangelo [http://www.kids.net.au/kidscategories/Kids_and_Teens/People_and_Society/Biog](http://www.kids.net.au/kidscategories/Kids_and_Teens/People_and_Society/Biog)raphy/Artists/Buonarroti,_Michelangelo Page 2 of 7 © Copyright 2019 – New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission U6-LP-001 • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles o Background information [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles) o Coloring Pages [http://afunk.com/ninja](http://afunk.com/ninja) Procedures: I. Ask the students if they are familiar with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. II. Ask the students to give you

FAQs

How does the lesson introduce Italian Renaissance artists to students?

Students begin with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and connect the turtle names (Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo) to famous Italian Renaissance artists.

Which Leonardo da Vinci artwork is emphasized in the lesson?

The lesson focuses on Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, including discussion of sfumato and the idea of the sitter posing for the portrait.

What sequence of artists and works do students study after Leonardo?

After Leonardo and the Mona Lisa, students explore Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, then Donatello’s David, and finally Raphael’s St. George Fighting the Dragon.

Aug 25, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo