Getting to Know Michelangelo

Introduction

Determined to solve the mystery of the angel statue, Claudia and Jamie learned all that they could about Michelangelo. Today you will have an opportunity to learn more about this famous artist.

The Task: Writing a News Article.  You will visit a web site and read a first person narrative about the life of Michelangelo. Next, you will write a short news article about one of his famous works of art.

The Process: Exploring the Web, Creating a Product

Pretend that you are living in present day Rome and you are a newspaper reporter. Your assignment is to write a fascinating article about one of Michelangelo's works of art so your readers will be eager to go and view it. Write a paragraph encouraging people to visit either the David, the Sistine Chapel or the Pieta.

Visit the Medici Villa web site below and read the entire story about Michelangelo's life in preparation for writing your news article. Remember, you are choosing ONE work of art to write about. Be sure to include the five w's in your article: who, what, when, where and why.

Your article should answer the following questions:

Who created the work of art?

What is the work of art?

When was the artwork completed?

Where is it located?

Why should someone go to see it?

 

A fascinating article immediately grabs the reader's attention. You want to hook your reader just like the news article in The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler did. Do you remember the newspaper article about the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new statue called "Angel"? (See page 60 in your novel.) It began with the headline, "RECORD CROWD VIEWS MUSEUM BARGAIN."

http://www.twingroves.district96.k12.il.us/Renaissance/SistineChapel/Michelangelo/Michelangelo.html

How You Will Be Graded

Your teacher will check that your news article does the following:

Begins with an interesting headline and/or lead paragraph.

Clearly states who created the work of art.

Clearly describes the work of art.

States when the artwork was completed.

States where it is located.

Explains why the reader would enjoy seeing it.