Oklahoma Social Studies MWH.C.2.2.B

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Content Standards

The Standard

MWH.C.2: Analyze patterns of social, economic, political, and cultural changes during the Late Middle Ages to the Age of Exploration.
MWH.C.2.2: Assess the origins and the significance of the Italian Renaissance and the revival of classical learning.

Describe how humanism furthered the values of republicanism, liberty, and individualism.

Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · MWH.C.2.2

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students trace how Renaissance thinkers used Greek and Roman writings to argue for active citizens, limits on rulers, and personal achievement. They connect those ideas to specific thinkers.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain how Bruni’s praise of civic life supports self-government and how Pico’s writing supports individual choice. They can also explain why these ideas did not give everyone equal freedom.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think humanism meant rejecting religion, rather than studying classical texts and human abilities alongside faith. They may confuse republicanism with a modern political party or assume women shared equally in Renaissance political life.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Give students three phrases, “citizens govern,” “a city resists unchecked rulers,” and “people shape their lives.” Ask them to name the value each represents and explain how studying ancient Rome could support one of those ideas.

Lesson moves

Give pairs three cards: “Bruni: citizens govern,” “Bruni: defend Florence’s freedom,” “Pico: people shape their lives”; match each to a value.
Ask students to write how Roman history might inspire Florentines to limit rulers, then name one group excluded from voting.
Play three rounds of “fix the claim”: teams turn “Only rulers matter” into claims about citizen rule, civic freedom, and personal ability.
Write “Students choose leaders” on a mock student council poster; students compare that promise with Bruni’s view of active citizens.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to MWH.C.2.2.B, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.