Introduction
There are so many wonderfully fascinating things to learn by studying Leonardo DaVinci. This webquest will take you on a journey, guided by your own interests, and you will be amazed when you find out how much one man contributed to the areas of science, math and art.
The standards guiding this exploration are:
S5CS4
Students will use the ideas of system, model, change, and scale in exploring scientific and technological matters.
S5CS6
Students will question scientific claims and arguments effectively.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.2
Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.4
Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.5
Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.
Task
Leonardo DaVinci was a genius! You may have seen or heard of some of his famous paintings: "The Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa". He kept meticulous records, over 13,000 pages of things he observed, sketches and designs, including designs for flying machines, plant studies, war machinery, anatomy and architecture. He contributed greatly to medicine through his drawings of a fetus in the womb, the heart and vascular system, and other bone and muscular structures, are some of the first on human record.
You task is to take a journey discovering how DaVinci contributed so much during his life. You will look at his art, his designs (maybe even construct one if you choose), and his view toward war.
"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Leonardo da Vinci
Process
To help you being understanding the mind of this creative genius, Click Here.
Did you catch that he kept a detailed notebook that he wrote BACKWARDS in it so that others would not be able to copy his work. This is called mirror writing.
Take a look at a page from his writing.
For fun, try writing this backwards.
"I am learning about DaVinci."
Can you imagine writing all your notes and thoughts this way?
In order to help you discover some of what DaVinci contributed, I have given you 3 Tasks. In task 1 you have an option, so read both before you decide what to create. Make sure that you follow the links embedded throughout.
Task 1 (Choose one):
Vanishing Point
DaVinci was alive during the Renaissance period. During this period of time, art changed from how it had been during the Middle Ages.
Click Here: Read about the Middle Ages, the click on Leonardo's Perspective at the bottom of the page.
Optional Task 1:
Watch this video and then try drawing a room using this technique to add depth. It goes fast, so pause it often and don't be afraid to ask questions.
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZYBWA-ifEs]
Inventions
Check out DaVinci's Designs that led to INVENTIONS, and then explore even more HERE.
See if you can identify his sketches with this activity.
Optional Task 1:
Build a self-supporting bridge. The link will also show a video and all the supplies are ready for you.
Task 2:
Check out DaVinci's war machines and read the article that goes along with it.
The articles states:
Leonardo detested war and harming people and animals in general. He was actually one of the first vegetarians in history, he would often buy birds in the marketplace and set them free after studying their wing structures, he is also quoted as saying -
“As long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other.”
“The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.”
If DaVinci hated war and hurting people and animals, why to you think he designed war machines? Think about this (you can discuss it with your classmates) and write a paper sharing your thoughts.
Task 3:
Check out the Fibonacci Sequence, now look how DaVinci used this in his art. Make sure you hover your mouse over the Mona Lisa painting to see how he used Golden Spirals based on the Fibonacci Sequence to perfect his art.
Check out how Golden Spirals and the Fibonaaci Sequence are a part of nature.
Now try creating a Golden Spiral by following these directions.
Can you think of other items in nature that show this sequence?
Evaluation
You will be evaluated on this Webquesst several ways.
First, you will share your product for Task 1 with the class. Be prepared to talk about the challenges you faced as you used his design or technique.
Second, I will read your essays, but most importantly, we will have a class discussion on this topic. Every student is required to contribute :)
Third, we will share our golden spirals and see how many additional ones we can find in nature.
Remember, you are not given a grade in Quest, but not participating fully robs you of great opportunities and robs the class from your unique perspective.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy, learn, and are surprised by how much one man accomplished.
Imagine what you can do....