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Grade: Elementary
Subject: Art

#3416. Wonders of the World

Art, level: Elementary
Posted Thu Feb 24 20:49:38 PST 2005 by Mrs. Mira Sarkar (mirasr_38@yahoo.com).
V.V.School, New Delhi, India
Materials Required: Boxes, Paper, Paint, White Glue
Activity Time: twelve hours atleast
Concepts Taught: Improving Mathematical/Spatial Intelligence

Mathematical/Spatial Intelligence
Class 3

I find the exercise of looking at 2D drawings and making 3D models a worthwhile experience. Besides I believe today's generation should have the knowledge of how to look at floor plans of buildings, for they are all going to be buyers of homes. Some of the skills required for floor plan reading should also help in mapping skills.

It all started with Class 3 studying the famous buildings of Delhi and about Taj Mahal in Agra. I have decided to give them a lesson in history and aesthetics in world architecture. I plan to talk about the Seven Wonders of the World. I will have to make the list longer for I need at least eighteen floor plans and side elevations of buildings. This works out to six for each class working in groups of five.

I will give a brief history of architecture throughout the world and explain to the class how to look at floor plans and side elevations of buildings. With the simplest floor plan and side elevation of Taj Mahal I will explain the steps to be taken to build the shape of the building using Styrofoam packaging from computers and cardboard boxes. For safety I provide hacksaw blades for cutting styrofoam. The domes will be shaped from newspaper and stuffed with small styrofoam pieces.

I will first pick the students who are strong in mathematics for I find they are a step ahead in looking at floor plans. These students will then pick two girls and two boys to be in their group. Once the basic shape of the building is completed, the side elevations will be painted on paper of the correct size. Later the paper will be glued to the sides.

I have floor plans and side elevations of the following buildings --
1. Temple of Karnak, Luxor, Egypt. 1250BC.
2. Parthenon, Athens, Greece.432 BC.
3. Colosseum, Rome, Italy. 70 AD.
4. Chartres Cathedral, Paris, France. 1195 AD.
5. Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1632 AD.

So far I have not had much luck in finding floor plans and side elevations of famous buildings on the Internet or in books in the senior school library. More time should lead to success.

Mira Sarkar
Sunday, October 13, 2002