using perspective and scaling in math

Within art, there is a concept called perspective.  Here, the idea is making the picture realistic in a geometrical kind of way.  Admittedly, people use the term perspective in art interpretation and that has its place as well (teaching paradox by using pictures that "trick" the viewer into seeing multiple perspectives).  Here, though, the goal is to see things spatially. 

Another art concept is the notion of scaling. Here, the idea is to take a piece from one size and make an identical piece in a different size.  For example, when I have students paint murals, we begin with a very small picture and use a grid and scaling effect to create the initial sketch for a mural. 

Integrating these art concepts into math serves a few purposes:

1. Allows students to see the overlap of creativity and math - and the notion that it's not always a left brain / right brain idea
2. Fits within the standards - scaling is an actual math concept that must be used
3. Helps students who are spatial thinkers to use that strong cognitive process for some of the more abstract ideas in geometry
   

Specific Ideas

• Designing a house
• Analyzing a work of art for the perspective and for examples of scaling
• Using scaling to paint a mural or create a large picture