Activity Overview
Both the Age of Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution provoked strong reactions from citizens and institutions. It is essential to understand the scope of these reactions, as they are clear evidence of just how powerful and revolutionary these new political and scientific ideas were.
Have students create a T-Chart that explains the reactions that individual and institutions had to the Enlightenment and new scientific thought. The storyboard should explain the ideas in one column and the reactions in the second column. Here are some examples to consider:
- Galileo’s interaction with the Church
- Rousseau’s ideas on Religion
- Voltaire and the Enlightened Despots
Students Can Collaborate!
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
Extension Activity
An easy extension of this activity would be to ask students, “What recent political, social, or scientific ideas have provoked strong reactions in the past ten years?” This could be a prompt for a discussion, a written assignment, or another storyboard!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart identifying the reactions that individuals and institutions had to new scientific thought and the Enlightenment.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, identify Enlightenment thinkers and scientists and their new theories and ways of thinking.
- In the second column, identify the reaction to the innovations and theories.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Both the Age of Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution provoked strong reactions from citizens and institutions. It is essential to understand the scope of these reactions, as they are clear evidence of just how powerful and revolutionary these new political and scientific ideas were.
Have students create a T-Chart that explains the reactions that individual and institutions had to the Enlightenment and new scientific thought. The storyboard should explain the ideas in one column and the reactions in the second column. Here are some examples to consider:
- Galileo’s interaction with the Church
- Rousseau’s ideas on Religion
- Voltaire and the Enlightened Despots
Students Can Collaborate!
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
Extension Activity
An easy extension of this activity would be to ask students, “What recent political, social, or scientific ideas have provoked strong reactions in the past ten years?” This could be a prompt for a discussion, a written assignment, or another storyboard!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart identifying the reactions that individuals and institutions had to new scientific thought and the Enlightenment.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, identify Enlightenment thinkers and scientists and their new theories and ways of thinking.
- In the second column, identify the reaction to the innovations and theories.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Reactions to the Age of Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution
Incorporate primary sources to deepen student understanding
Using authentic documents like letters, speeches, or images from the Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution helps students connect with history. Primary sources provide first-hand perspectives and make abstract ideas more concrete, enhancing engagement and critical thinking skills.
Select age-appropriate primary sources for your class
Choose short excerpts from letters, trial transcripts, or pamphlets that fit your students' reading levels. Preview materials to ensure they are accessible and relevant, so all students can participate meaningfully in the lesson.
Guide students to analyze the source’s perspective
Encourage students to identify who wrote the source, when it was written, and why. This helps them understand context and analyze whether the reaction to new ideas was supportive, fearful, or resistant.
Facilitate group discussion on reactions found in sources
Have students share their findings with peers and discuss how different individuals or institutions responded to new scientific or political ideas. Collaborative discussions help deepen understanding and promote multiple viewpoints.
Integrate findings into the T-Chart activity
Ask students to add evidence from the primary sources to their T-Charts, linking specific reactions to historical documents. This grounds their analysis in real history and strengthens their critical thinking skills.
Frequently Asked Questions about Reactions to the Age of Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution
What were common reactions to the Age of Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution?
Common reactions included both support and resistance. Many religious and political institutions opposed new ideas, fearing loss of authority, while others embraced change, fueling progress and reform.
How can I teach students about responses to Enlightenment thinkers using a T-Chart?
Have students create a T-Chart with one column for Enlightenment thinkers or scientists and their new ideas, and a second for individual or institutional reactions. Encourage illustrations for deeper understanding.
What is an example of the Church's reaction to Galileo's discoveries?
The Church condemned Galileo for supporting heliocentrism, placing him under house arrest and labeling his ideas as heresy, highlighting the conflict between science and religious authority.
Why is collaboration beneficial when students create storyboards about historical reactions?
Collaboration helps students deepen understanding, improve communication, and solve problems together. Working in groups on storyboards can also speed up completion and spark richer discussions.
How can I extend a lesson on Enlightenment reactions to include modern examples?
Ask students to identify recent political, social, or scientific ideas that have sparked strong reactions. This can lead to discussions, written assignments, or new storyboards connecting past and present.
More Storyboard That Activities
Enlightenment & Scientific Revolution
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