Activity Overview
Students will use similarity concepts, and the dimensions of the carvings on Mt. Rushmore to create a proportional representation of the carvings for a stage backdrop.
Before the Activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 66 - 72 from the attached PDF file for your class
Study the activity on pages 68 - 69 and understand the concept of similarity
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the activity procedures:
Find the relationship between the real bed and the doll bed
Find the ratio of the short sides of the real bed and the doll bed
Use the ratio to find the sides of the quilt
Study the height and mouth measurements, eye span and nose length of the four faces carved on Mount Rushmore
Note the backdrop is 16 feet high and 24 feet wide and that for the scale drawing is 12" x 18"
Find the scale to be used in the drawing
Draw the ovals for the faces and sketch the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth for each face
Note the dimensions used
After the Activity
Students present their results to the class.
Review student results
As a class, discuss the various calculations used
Re-teach concepts as necessary