Title of Lesson: Bird's Eye View Map#124

National Standard: 3
How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surfaces.
State Standard: 10

Teaching Level: E

Lesson Introduction:
On a town map, locate the school. On a school map, locate the classroom. Display in the classroom. Suggest reading aloud: As the Crow Flies by Gail Hartman, Bradbury Press

Objective/Purpose:
- to introduce the idea of seeing from above (bird's eye view) and recording

Materials:
an apple, toy, or other object from the room.

Procedure:
1. Place the object on a table for eye level viewing. Talk about the shape and noticeable details.
2. Place the object on the floor and have students stand on a chair and look down directly down on the object. Talk about the shape and noticeable details.
3. Looking at the object from eye level lead the students in a simple drawing of the object.
4. Looking at the object from above lead the students in a simple drawing of the object. Suggestion: do both drawings on the same piece of paper for easier comparison of the two views.
5. Have the students choose another object and do their own drawings from both perspectives.
6. To give a different perspective on perspective read Ben's Dream by Chris von Allsburg

Evaluation/Assessment:
Do the students understand "bird's eye view"?

Reflection: How successful was this lesson? Did all students benefit? Were there any surprises? What might you do differently another time? Please note any changes that will make this lesson more effective and useful in the future and pass them along to the NHGA. We appreciate your comments.
Thank you.
The authors.

Back to document index

Original file name: 124rtf - converted on Tuesday, 20 October 1998, 20:55