Learning Objectives
Students will draw a dog face using various geometric shapes and lines as a learning tool. Students will differentiate different lines, and measure and classify various shapes during drawing. Students will research different dog breeds to find which it most closely relates to as well as compare the drawing of the dog to its breed standard.
Note: This is a multiple-day lesson.
Grade Levels
6-8
Common Core Mathematics Standard
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.G.A.2
Draw (freehand, with ruler and protractor, and with technology) geometric shapes with given conditions. Focus on constructing triangles from three measures of angles or sides, noticing when the conditions determine a unique triangle, more than one triangle, or no triangle.
Materials Needed
Blank Paper (One page per student, have extra on hand)
Pencils
Protractor (One per student)
Ruler (One per student)
Black Markers (One per student)
Crayons (One pack per student)
Highlighters (One per student)
Access to computer or personal device with internet capabilities
YouTube Video for reference- How to draw a Dog/triangles/geometry: HERE
Rottweiler Breed Standard (HEAD SECTION ONLY): HERE
Lesson
Prior Learning
- Review the following geometry terms with the class before beginning this lesson:
Line, Line Segment, Intersecting Lines, Parallel Lines, Measure of an Angle, Degrees, Angle, Ray, Angles (Acute, Right, Obtuse), Triangles (Scalene, Isosceles, Equilateral), Polygon
- Practice measuring various angles using protractors prior to starting the lesson and drawing different types of triangles.
Introduction and Guided Instruction
- Explain to students that they will practice drawing a dog face that includes various geometric features, such as lines, triangles, angles, and polygons. They will get to compare the drawing to the actual breed standard and determine what breed they think it most closely relates to.
- Before handing out materials, first show students the YouTube video: How to Draw a Dog/Triangles/Geometry. Instruct them to just watch and observe.
- After watching the video, ask students what types of geometric features they noticed in the drawing (ex. lines, angles, triangles, line segments, polygons) and discuss.
- Hand out blank sheets of paper, pencils, and rulers to students.
- Students will draw the dog using the YouTube video to guide them. Play the video to the whole class and stop many times along the way to ensure each student is caught up.
- After the students have finished, have them brainstorm different dog breeds that they think the drawing most closely relates to. Visit the AKC Dog Breeds Website HERE to help students narrow it down (focus on a Rottweiler).
- Hand out copies of the Rottweiler Breed Standard (HEAD SECTION ONLY) and highlighters to students. Refer to pictures of the Rottweiler on the AKC Website HERE and the Head Section of the Rottweiler Breed Standard. Have students highlight similarities and differences between the drawing and the standard that are applicable on the paper, and then discuss as a class. Note: The dog drawing is not drawn to scale, and this is just a practice exercise.
- Hand out protractors to students. Instruct students to reference their original drawings and ask students to ensure that their dog drawing is proportionate on both the left and right sides. They can erase and adjust the length of any lines, polygons, and triangles to ensure everything has an equal length, size, and equal angle measure. Circulate and assist students.
- When finished adjusting their drawings, instruct students to pick a partner and then determine how many different types of lines, polygons, angles, and triangles there are in their drawings together. They will share this with the class.
- Have each group trace their individual drawings with black marker, color any triangles in black crayon, and then any polygons with a brown crayon.
Review and Closing
- Have students share one thing that they learned from the lesson. Teachers can then display student drawings around the classroom.
Lesson Extension: Group Project
- Have students research different dog breeds to draw and work in groups to come up with new geometric dog face drawings to represent those breeds.
References
Dog Breeds. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/.
“How to draw a Dog/triangles/geometry.” YouTube, published by Dad draws, 15 February 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHTrsG4OeMQ.