Cartoon Project

Lesson Plan #: AELP-MEA0210

An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan

Submitted by: Jennifer Smathers
Email: jennifer.smathers@cherokee.k12.ga.us
School/University/Affiliation: Woodstock High School

Date: March 25, 2003

Grade Level: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Subject(s):

Mathematics/Measurement
Arts

Duration: Two or three class sessions

Description: This cartoon project is a fun activity that allows students to apply their knowledge of ratio and proportion.

Goals: Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Standards (Mathematics):
Algebra I

1. Topic: Problem Solving, Reasoning Standard: Solve problems throughout this course that involve:
- selecting appropriate approaches and tools,
- using estimating strategies to predict computational results, and
- judging reasonableness of results.
3. Topic: Communication Standard: Communicates mathematical ideas by using language and symbolism:
- reflects upon and clarifies thinking about mathematical ideas and relationships.
- formulates mathematical definitions and expresses generalizations discovered throughout investigations.
- expresses mathematical ideas both orally and in writing.
- interprets written presentations of mathematics, and asks clarifying and extending questions related to mathematics about which they have read or heard.
30. Topic: Rational Expressions: Algebraic Fractions Standard: Solves problems involving ratios, proportions, and percents.

Objective: Students will be able to use their knowledge of ratio and proportion to expand a cartoon picture.

Materials:

cartoon pictures, approximately 2.5 x 2.5 in.
white 8.5 x 11 in. sheets of paper
pencils
rulers
crayons
construction paper

Vocabulary:

ratio - The relationship a/b of two quantities a and b that are measured in the same unit.
proportion - An equation that states that two ratios are equal.
measurement - The dimension, quantity, or capacity determined by measuring.

Procedure:
Students need to bring in one square of a cartoon line, usually found in the comic section of a newspaper. They will use a ruler to draw vertical and horizontal lines (a grid) over the cartoon. The spacing between the lines should be about 1 cm. After the students have completed drawing the grid over the cartoon square, they will draw another grid over the entire sheet of white 8.5 x 11 in. paper. The spacing between the lines for this sheet should be about 1 inch. Now the students must draw free-hand, square by square on the white paper what is on the original cartoon. They will copy each square until the cartoon is completed and then color using the same colors that were in the original cartoon. They should cut off whatever white squares that were not used. Each student needs to mount the original cartoon along with the enlarged cartoon on a piece of construction paper. The students will probably not be able to finish the project in one class period.

Assessment: Compare the original cartoons to the expanded cartoons. (Teachers may want to construct a rubric to assess students' use of ratio and proportion.)

Useful Internet Resource:
* Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Standards and Resources
http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/qcc/homepg.asp

Special Comments: This idea was given to me by my mentor teacher, Alita Harris, while I was student teaching.