Phelps Center for Gifted Education

934 South Kimbrough

Springfield, MO 65806

(417)523-3300 (main) (417)523-3325 (major unit) =

WINGS Major Unit: Decoding da Vinci=

Ms. Betsy Cannella

=

Course description:

Occasionally h= eaven sends us someone who is not only human but divine…<= /p>
What didn̵= 7;t Leonardo da Vinci do? He was an artist, musician, scientist, philosopher, inventor, engineer and much more and yet he did all of these things extreme= ly well. In this class we will e= xplore the life and times of the true Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci. We will deconstruct his work and r= ebuild it while looking at his art work, science experiments and all of his great engineering feats. By the end= of the unit you will learn to appreciate his great mind and this man who not o= nly gave us many ideas and projects to look at but many more for us to fill in = the holes.

Unit Rationale:

Decoding da Vi= nci was designed to provide gifted students the opportunities to address the follow= ing needs:

Their need to work with intellectual= peers and develop skills for working in a group

Their need to learn how to set reali= stic goals and to accept setbacks as part of the learning process

Their need for developing organizati= on skills

Their need to clarify awareness of t= he needs and feelings of others

Their need for creative expression t= hrough artistic compositions

Their need for scientific exploratio= n

Their need to explore practical and impractical applications of engineering through various inventions

Measurable Learner Objectives:=

Examine the historical context of a = true Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci’s work and others during this time period=

Explore the complexity of his work

Begin to understand Leonardo as an a= rtist, scientist, and engineer

Apply their knowledge of Leonardo= 217;s work to their own projects

Analyze personal opinions on various issues by sharing in classroom discussions

GLEs:

Math

Measurement

2. Apply appropriate techniques, tools and formulas to determine measurements.=

2.B. use tools to measure angles to the nearest degree

2.D. analyze precision and accuracy in measurement situations<= /p>
Data and Probability

1. Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize a= nd display relevant data to answer them.

1.A. formulate questions, design studies and collect data about a characteristic=

Social Studies=

        &= nbsp; World History

        &= nbsp; 2B. Knowledge of continuity and change in the history of the world

2B.B interpret the Renaissance and Reformation to include new ways of thinking, including humanism, new developments in the arts and influences on later developments

Science

        &= nbsp; Properties and Principles of Force and Motion

1.&n= bsp;    The = motion of an object is described by its change in position relative to another obj= ect or point.

1.a. classify different types of motion

        &= nbsp; Processes of Scientific Inquiry

1. Science inquiry

1.e.d. Communicate the procedures and results of investigations and explorations through: verbal explorations, drawings, data tables, graphs, a= nd writings

Impact of Science, Technology and Human Activity

2.&n= bsp;    hist= orical perspective

2.a.a. describe how the contributions of scientists and inventors of science, technology and human activity

Methods of Approach:

Creative and academic assignments based on Leonardo da Vinci’s life and w= ork will be used to develop artistic, scientific, and engineering skills.<= /o:p>

Field trip to MSU biology department for more expansive view into Leonardo da Vinci’s work in science.

Guest speakers will provide additional information on certain topics relatin= g to Leonardo da Vinci.

Daily class presentations and discussions based around Leonardo da VinciR= 17;s life and work will provide students will examples, history, and diverse perspectives.

Assessment:

Students will be monitored by the teacher as the components of the class are completed.

Students will complete daily projects and given immediate feed back from the teacher or quest speaker.

Resources:

Richter, Jean P. The notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. Vol. 1 and 2. Dover Publications, Inc., New York. 1970.

Castellani, Renato= . Da Vinci and the mysteries of the renaissance. Disc 1-6. Questar, Inc.. Chicago, IL.