Connect to Art > Leonardo da Vinci

Grades 2-5.
Preknowledge: Some developed fine motor skills.

Reading

Read Leonardo da Vinci book from Masterpieces: Artist and Their Works series.

Science: Simple Machines

Leonardo da Vinci developed many invention ideas based on six simple machines, the building blocks of technology. Explore the properties of the different simple machines in the Simple Machines book set.

Math: Shapes

Even great masterpieces start with basic geometric shapes for the objects and the placement of the objects. Get color photo copies of some da Vinci's masterpieces. Have students look for geometric shapes within the image (i.e., oval for heads, triangle for placement of three figures, etc.)

Art: Perspective

Leonardo da Vinci approached painting mathematically, inventing a system that allowed him to create an illusion of depth and distance. Using a ruler, have students mark a horizon line across the center of a blank sheet of paper and then mark a point in the center. Draw some shapes (i.e., square, triangle, circle) at the bottom and top of the page. Using a ruler, students should draw straight lines from the edges of the shapes back to the point in the center. Draw an 'end' to the shape by drawing parallel line along the shaft created by drawing the lines to the point. (See example) The shapes at the top will appear from a perspective as if you are standing beneath them; the shapes at the bottom will appear as if you are looking down on them. Shapes made at the same level as the point will appear as if you are looking straight at them.

Introduction | Mary Cassatt | Leonardo da Vinci | Henri Matisse | Michelangelo | Claude Monet