51ºÚÁÏ

This lesson explores the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and challenges students to evaluate whether it can truly be considered a ‘Golden Age.’ Through a detailed look at Elizabeth’s famous portrait and her historical impact, students will analyze various aspects of her rule. Activities include:

• Portrait Analysis: Students will discuss what Elizabeth’s regal portrayal in her portrait tells us about her personality and rule, emphasizing her youthful appearance and rich, symbolic attire.
• Debate and Discussion: In groups, students will argue for and against Elizabeth’s reign being a Golden Age, using historical evidence provided in the lesson.
• Critical Writing: Students will write essays using provided sentence starters to argue both sides of the debate, encouraged to use appositive sentences to add more detail to their answers.
• Grading Reflection: After completing their essays, students will assess how well Elizabeth handled her various challenges (like dealing with Mary Queen of Scots, the Spanish Armada, and religious conflicts) and grade her performance.

This lesson aims to deepen students’ understanding of historical interpretation and the complexities of Elizabethan England, encouraging critical thinking and detailed expression.