Whale Scale

How do you measure up to a whale? Draw yourself in proportion to larger and smaller creatures.

• 1.

  Discuss the relative scale of human beings to large animals such as elephants or whales. How many people (standing or shoulder to shoulder) would it take to be the same length as a whale? Then compare the average person's height to a smaller creature, like a cat. How many cat-lengths would it take to be as tall as you are? Estimate the relative scale for several different creatures. Record your findings with Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils.

• 2.

  Choose an environment, such as a barnyard, rainforest, desert, or sea. What animals live there? Which are bigger and smaller than you? Estimate and then research their sizes. Measure yourself with a yardstick. Compare findings to your estimates.

• 3.

  With Crayola Crayons, draw yourself in correct scale with the creatures of your chosen environment.

Benefits

• Children estimate relative size and scale of humans, animals, and objects.
• Students verify their estimations through research and measurement.
• Children draw themselves in proportion to other creatures, both larger and smaller, in a selected environment.

Adaptations

• As homework, students and their families estimate, research, and record heights of various objects in their environments, including each other.
• Use Crayola Watercolors to add depth to your picture. This crayon resist technique makes your waxy crayon colors stand out from the background.
• Draw yourself in proportion to other objects, such as a car or bus, a basketball hoop, or the school cafeteria. Consider things that are very small, such as ants...or very large, such as a sky-scraper. How many ants does it take to make a 3rd grader if an ant is a half-inch (1 cm) long?