Lesson Plan: Monstro Mechanica Volume 1

Review

Set during the height of the Renaissance, Monstro Mechanica has warring factions setting out to gain control of Leonardo da Vinci’s arsenal of destructive inventions. 

His latest invention, a wooden robot that acts as a bodyguard for his apprentice Isabel, is by far the most advanced and most dangerous.  Thus, it is sought after, hunted for by two sides that da Vinci is playing off each other in order to remain what he thinks is neutral.  Isabel does not agree with the inventor and believes that da Vinci should pick a side to believe in and only help the side he truly believes is right.  Da Vinci doesn’t seem to agree. 

Only Isabel can protect the machine and its growing sentient intelligence from da Vinci himself, the Medici, and the Pope’s spies.  Ultimately, she will have to decide where her allegiance lies. 

Elements of Story

Plot: Leonardo da Vinci has invented a large wooden robot and there are two warring factions after it.  Only his young apprentice Isabel seems to know right from wrong, and thus she must decide both her own and the robot’s futures.  

Major Characters: Leonardo da Vinci, Isabel, the Machine, the Medici, Machiavelli, Alessandro, Pope Sixtus, Father Minias, Father Razzi, Guiliano, Riario

Major Settings: Florence, Italy, city morgue, streets, and outside the city walls; Leonardo da Vinci’s workshop; Palazzo Medici; Mercato Vecchio; Rectory of San Catello; Father Minia’s study; Volterra, city and outside the city walls; Rome, seat of the Papal States

Themes: Technology, War, Identity, Fact & fiction, Alternate History, Feminism

Lesson Plan Recommendation Using the Common Core Standards (CCS) for Young Adults

Common Core Standard(s), Key Ideas and Details:

Craft and Structure / CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.6
Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Directions for Lesson Plan

As students read, ask them to take notes on the four key character points of view in the story.  Da Vinci, Isabel, the Medici, and the Pope’s spies all have different points of view in the text.  This reading strategy will help students keep track of who believes what and when. 

Encourage students to keep both textual and visual notes to highlight the various characters points of view.

After reading, students can use their notes to discuss the various points of view that are key to comprehending the story.