MOTIVATION:
Showing how object appear at relative distances is called one point perspective. Points and lines give the illusion of three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface. This activity combines very well with a math lesson on line segments. Teachers might wish to prepare their students for this activity by having them look down a road outside the school to notice that objects far away seem smaller.

MATERIALS:

• Drawing paper
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Eraser
• Colouring materials

WHAT TO DO:

1. Demonstrate for the children how to place their paper in a “landscape” position;
2. Measure from the top of the paper about 10 centimetres and draw a horizontal line at that position;
3. Find the mid-point of the horizontal line, that will be the vanishing point;
4. Measure about 3 centimetres from the bottom right and left corners of the paper, and make a dot;
5. Joint the dots at the bottom with the vanishing point. This will create a “road”;
6. Along the road, draw trees, telephone poles, fences, etc, gradually getting smaller as they near the vanishing point;
7. Along the top of the horizon line, draw a city;
8. Colour and add details to the one-point perspective drawing!

Discussion:
Once the children have learned how to draw perspective, discuss with them how to make two roads intersect. (This will need two vanishing points)