This lesson can be a 1-3 day activity. The second and thirds day options included below (practice scale drawings of building and 3-D sketches)

2-D Activities (1 day)

• Introduce the concept of scaled drawings. A floor plan on a displayed on a Whiteboard screen is an effective way. Measuring the length of a line on each can be used to define the scaling factor. Show other examples (e.g., simple blue print) and review scaling factors and how information can be used.

• Scaled drawings are a means of communication between the contractor and the designer of a structure, in this case buildings. Scaled drawings are used because they allow the designer to put a large amount on information into a relatively small and easily read package. Introduce key terms and have students copy them down in their notes after you have worked out the definitions with the class and written them on the board. (10 mins)

• Have a single student come to the front of the class and draw a 2-D (X-Z plane) building on the board. Inquire with the class what you would have to know in order to build this building. Bring in the concepts of scale factor. You have to know how high the tallest point is, how wide the building is, what particular features does the building have like balconies, double doors, etc.… before you can do anything you have to have some idea of scale (5 mins)

• Hand out the worksheet on scaled drawings, have the students read through the instructions and measure the scale drawings on the worksheets. (20 mins)

• Close lesson by briefly going over the worksheet and handing out the HW assignment on having the students draw their own building. Review Key terms and objectives of the class. Introduce tomorrow’s lesson – 2-D graphical representation not sufficient. Need to determine how to represent the 3-D aspects of the system also in order to construct. (5 mins)

2-D drawings – practice (optional 1 day)

• Have simple building model displayed on the Whiteboard in the class room and have students draw scale models. (students will also have to do this later with their own project)

• Have different types of buildings available and have students draw a model building first and then see if they can add additional features to their drawing.

3-D Activities (1 day)

• Call students to order, and collect anything that is due. (5 mins)

• Introduce the lesson, detailing that the students will be making drawings of a number of different objects with the goal of making accurate scale drawings of the item from front, side and top views. (5 mins)

• Hand out paper and rulers to the students, allow them to work in pairs, each student must hand in his/her own drawing, however two students can work on the same object at the same time. The students may select the objects they want to draw themselves from items in the classroom. (20 mins)

• Assess student work throughout class to make sure they understand the principles and generate accurate drawings.

• Collect the drawings from the students and show them the actual drawings that were made of the items by the instructor (you are probably going to have to make these each time, as the objects will probably change from year to year.) (rest of class time).

Supply list

Scaled drawings 2d worksheet

Scaled drawings 2d HW

Rulers, compasses, protractor, French curves and other drawing tools

Pictures of Model Buildings

Graph Paper (preferably with lines in metric distances)

Simple 3-D objects (plastic egg, tape dispenser, battery, coffee mug) Transparencies/handouts of actual drawings of the items.