"City Scalers: Draw Your World!"

6th Grade

Lesson
40 minutes

"City Scalers: Draw Your World!"

jessica shang

Purpose

Students will explore the concept of scale and scale drawing through hands-on activities that connect mathematics to real-world applications. By measuring and creating scaled representations of classroom objects and local landmarks, students will develop spatial awareness and precision. The lesson culminates in a collaborative project where students apply their skills to design a scaled city model, fostering teamwork and problem-solving.

Learning goals

Students will understand the concept of scale and its application in creating accurate representations of real-world objects. They will develop skills in measuring and converting dimensions to a smaller scale using graph paper. Through hands-on activities, students will learn to apply these skills by creating a scale drawing of their city model, incorporating key features observed during a local field trip.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.G.A.1: Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3: Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.G.A.3: Draw polygons in the coordinate plane given coordinates for the vertices; use coordinates to find the length of a side joining points with the same first coordinate or the same second coordinate.

Week 1	Day 1
Activities	Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of scale. Explain that scale is a ratio that compares the measurements of the model or drawing to the actual object. Use a ruler and a small model, such as a toy car, to demonstrate how the dimensions of the model relate to the real object. Ask students to think about why scale is important in fields like architecture and engineering. Encourage them to discuss examples from their own experiences, such as toys or maps. This activity sets the stage for understanding how they will apply scale in their city model project. (10 minutes) Provide each student with graph paper and a ruler. Select a few classroom objects, such as a desk, chair, or textbook, for students to measure. Guide them in measuring the length, width, and height of the chosen objects. Then, instruct them to create a scaled drawing of one object on the graph paper, using a simple scale such as 1 square = 1 foot. As students work, circulate the room to provide assistance and ensure they understand how to convert real measurements into scaled ones. This activity helps students practice creating accurate scale drawings, a crucial skill for their upcoming project. (10 minutes) Lead students on a brief walking field trip around the school, identifying different landmarks or buildings. Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific feature to measure, such as the height of a flagpole or the length of a wall. Provide measuring tapes and clipboards for recording measurements. Encourage students to discuss and decide on an appropriate scale for their measurements. Upon returning to the classroom, have each group share their findings. This activity connects real-world exploration with classroom learning and prepares students for creating their city model. (15 minutes) Conclude the lesson with a brief discussion. Ask students to reflect on the challenges they faced while measuring and creating scale drawings. Prompt them to share strategies they found helpful. Discuss how they might apply these skills in their city model project. This reflection helps consolidate their learning and encourages them to consider how to overcome obstacles in future tasks. It also fosters a sense of accomplishment and readiness for the next steps in their project. (5 minutes)
Deliverables
Preparation