Display the Roman Mosaic on a projector and have the class discuss what they notice. Encourage students to make connections to mathematical connections such as different geometric shapes, line structure, symmetry. Zoom in to small parts of the Mosaic to discuss finer details and how they play out in the whole work.
Discuss the original dimensions of the work of art (98 ½ x 99 ½ x 2 ½ in.) and the size of the picture being projected. Calculate the scale factor of the model (picture 5 x 5 in.) vs. the actual work of art. Make sure students recognize which measurement (2 ½ in.) will not be usable and why (real work is 3D, picture is 2D).
Explain that, together, the class will be re-creating the work in a more manageable size and only two-dimensional (suggested size: 40 x 40 in., divides up into 25 pieces.) The print-out grid will be cut into 1.5 x 1.5 in. squares. The class will work together to determine an appropriate scale that everyone will use for the project. Suggested scale above yields 1 in. on student artwork = ⅛ in. from student piece of the actual Mosaic.
Have students agree upon what materials the class will use to create their mosaic model. Have an assortment of materials available to help them make a group decision. Options may include construction paper, colored pencils and paper, paint and paper, colored foil.
Model how to create one piece. Show how to measure a piece of the mosaic and draw it onto an 8 x 8 in. piece of paper. Discuss best approaches to collaboration with students and how precise measurements are critical to the finished product.
Written by Jessica Mullen
Evaluaciones
Participation, notes, and development of the scale may be used to evaluate students’ understanding of scale.
Precision of the geometric shapes will be used to evaluate students’ use of measurement tools in creation of art.
The relationship of the students’ pieces to one another will be used to evaluate how students used measurement tools and collaborated with classmates for accuracy.
8 x 8 in. white scrapbook paper (or the back of ugly paper)
Two color printouts of Mosaic with one divided up into 1.5 in. squares and the other one with a grid as a guide for putting together the class re-creation
