Math

Human Body ProportionsUse this skeleton to complete the activties on page 56.

Math

Human Body ProportionsLeonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo both studiedthe human body thoroughly in order to betterreproduce human figures in their artwork. Thisfamous sketch from da Vinci's notebook is oftenused as a symbol for the Renaissance.

Each student will need a copy of the skeleton onpage57 and a ruler to do the following activities.

1. Measure the length of the arm from the shoulder to the fingertips.

Measure the length of the leg from the hip to the toes.

What is the difference between the length of the arm and the leg?

2. Measure the width of the shoulders.

Measure the width of the hipbones,

What is the difference between the width of the hips and the shoulders?

3. Measure the length of the arm from the elbow to the fingertips. _

Measure the length of the arm from the shoulder to the elbow.

Which part of the arm is longer? By how much?

4. Measure the length of the leg from the knee to the toe.

Measure the length of the leg from the hipbone to the knee.

Which part of the leg is longer? By how much?

5, Measure the length of the entire body from the top of the skull to the toes. Use previousmeasurements to complete the following:

a. The legs are about of the entire body height.(fraction)

b. The arms are about of the entire body height.(fraction)

6. Measure the head and neck from the top to where the neck meets the shoulders. Use previousmeasurements to answer the following:

a. The head and neck are about of the entire body height.(fraction)

b. The head and neck are about the length of a leg.(fraction)

Extensions: Trace around classmates' bodies on butcher paper. Use a yardstick or meter stick to dothe activities above. Compare your results with each other. What generalizations can you make abouthuman body proportions? Make a drawing of the human body using the correct proportions.

#580 Thematic Unit—Renaissance 56 ©1994 Teacher Created Materials, Inc.