Invention: Leonardo’s Legacy: Teacher’s Guide
Grade Level: 6-8
Curriculum Focus: Physical Science
Lesson Duration: Two class periods
Program Description
What is Leonardo's defining legacy? Is it the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper…or the modern tank,
helicopter, and airplane? Here's a convincing case for Leonardo the inventor, architect, scientist,
and engineer. Also in the spotlight are some of the wonders of technology that Leonardo had
dreamed of centuries before, along with profiles of their modern creators.
Onscreen Questions and Activities
Segment 1, Invention: Leonardo’s Legacy: Part One
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Pre-viewing questions:
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What do you already know about the life and accomplishments of Leonardo da
Vinci? What is he remembered for?
o
As you watch the documentary, pay attention to the role of artists in 15th Century
Italy. Compare what you observe with the role of artists in our society today. How
do changes in technology dictate changes in artistic trends?
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Post-viewing question: Leonardo was very interested in observing the workings of the human
body. He demonstrated this with his drawings. How were his keen observations integral to his
technological designs?
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Activity: Research the artistic, scientific, and technological achievements of 15th. Century
England, France, or Spain. Then create a Venn diagram comparing the Italian Renaissance with
the Renaissance in the country that you chose.
Segment 2, Invention: Leonardo’s Legacy: Part Two
•
•
Pre-viewing questions:
o
What is Leonardo's legacy? As you watch the documentary, pay attention to the feats
of Leonardo da Vinci that are relevant today.
o
Can you think of any modern-day artists or scientists whose work will still be
relevant 500 years from now?
Post-viewing question: Leonardo created designs for everything from tanks to bridges to
complete cities. After reviewing his accomplishments as an artist and an engineer, debate what
Invention: Leonardo’s Legacy: Teacher’s Guide
2
he would think of modern America. What do you think he would be doing if he were alive
today?
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Activity: Leonardo's work proves that art and technology can be a perfect match. Use your
artistic skills to design a machine or a robot that will help you with one of your least favorite
daily tasks.
Lesson Plan
Student Objectives
Students will understand:
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The six simple machines are: the inclined plane, the lever and fulcrum, the wedge, the screw,
and the wheel and axle, and the pulley.
•
Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest inventors of all time; each of his designs
implemented one or more of the six simple machines.
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The six simple machines are the basis for all mechanical devices.
Materials
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Invention: Leonardo’s Legacy video and VCR, or DVD and DVD player
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Research materials about simple machines
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Research materials about Leonardo da Vinci and his many inventions
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Computer with Internet access
Procedures
1. Ask students to tell what they know about simple machines. Explain that a machine is a device
that helps you do work, and in science, you do “work” any time you move something. A simple
machine is a machine that has few or no moving parts. Next, review the six simple machines
with the class: the inclined plane, the lever and fulcrum, the wedge, the screw, and the wheel
and axle, and the pulley.
2. Divide the class into six groups, assigning one of the simple machines to each group.
3. Give the groups the following assignment:
a) Find one or more examples of your simple machine. Either bring it to class,
photograph it, or draw a picture of it. Record where you found the simple machine.
(Examples: a bottle opener is a lever; a knife or ax blade is a wedge; a ramp is an
inclined plane.)
b) Find one or more larger, more complex machines of which your simple machine is a
part. Bring the machine to class if possible; otherwise, photograph it or draw a
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Invention: Leonardo’s Legacy: Teacher’s Guide
3
picture of it, with your simple machine labeled. A good example is a sewing
machine, which uses a wheel, a wedge (the needle), a lever and fulcrum (the foot
peddle), and numerous screws. A bicycle is also a good example.
c) Write an explanation of the how your simple machine helps you do work – in other
words, how it helps your work easier.
4. Have each group present its simple machine and its report to the class.
5. After the presentations, ask students to tell what they know about Leonardo da Vinci. Talk
about how he was not only a great artist, but also a great inventor—one of the greatest of all
time.
6. Assign students to research Leonardo’s life and inventions. Each student should bring to class a
photocopy or printed diagram of one of Leonardo’s inventions.
7. Have students present the invention to the class, explaining how Leonardo implemented simple
machines into his designs.
8. Help students to conclude that the six simple machines are the basis for all mechanical devices.
Discussion Questions
1. It is said that with Leonardo “there is more than meets the eye.” Explain the meaning of this
statement and give examples to support your answer.
2. After reviewing Leonardo’s accomplishments, do you believe that Leonardo would enjoy life
today in America? What might he be doing if he were alive today?
3. Analyze how Leonardo integrated science and art in different aspects of his life. Hypothesize
how incorporating his philosophies could improve your approach to life.
4. Do you think Leonardo would feel right at home with robots, submarines, and airplanes?
Explain why.
5. Experts stated that “only posterity could carry out Leonardo’s ideas.” Do you agree or disagree?
Explain your answer with supporting examples.
Assessment
Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students' work during this lesson.
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3 points: Student provides example of simple machine and example of more complex machine;
presentation clear and complete.
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2 points: Student provides example of simple machine, but fails to provide example of more
complex machine; presentation clear.
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1 point: Student provides example of simple machine, but fails to provide example of more
complex machine; presentation unsatisfactory.
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Invention: Leonardo’s Legacy: Teacher’s Guide
4
Vocabulary
artisan
Definition: A craftsman.
Context: The artisans must be able to invent, design, and construct. That is the complete artisan,
the artisan of the Renaissance.
enigma
Definition: Something hard to understand or explain.
Context: Who is Leonardo the man? Who is this mystery? Trying to understand the man behind
the accomplishments—this enigma—is the challenge of researchers today.
feasibility
Definition: Capable of being done or carried out.
Context: Leonardo’s original drawings are entered into the computer, taking into account his
written notes. It is then possible to test the feasibility of his ideas.
legacy
Definition: Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the
past.
Context: Leonardo’s legacy extends well beyond the dozen or so paintings that exist today.
phenomenon
Definition: An exceptional, unusual, or abnormal person, thing, or occurrence.
Context: According to Carlos Pedriti, Leonardo was “a phenomenon of nature.”
posterity
Definition: Future generations.
Context: Leonardo was ahead of his time. It was only posterity that could carry out his ideas.
Renaissance
Definition: The transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times
beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a flowering
of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science.
Context: The helicopter was originally designed by Leonardo da Vinci. It was the dream of the
original Renaissance man.
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Invention: Leonardo’s Legacy: Teacher’s Guide
5
Academic Standards
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL)
McREL's Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education
addresses 14 content areas. To view the standards and benchmarks, visit
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/browse.asp.
This lesson plan addresses the following national standards:
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World History—Global Expansion and Encounter: Understands how European society
experienced political, economic, and cultural transformations in an age of global
intercommunication between 1450 and 1750.
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Visual Arts: Understands the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.
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Technology: Understands the relationships among science, technology, society, and the
individual.
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Science—Nature of Science: Understands the scientific enterprise.
The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) has developed national standards to provide
guidelines for teaching social studies. To view the standards online, go to
http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/strands/.
This lesson plan addresses the following thematic standards:
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Time, Continuity, and Change
Support Materials
Develop custom worksheets, educational puzzles, online quizzes, and more with the free teaching tools
offered on the Discoveryschool.com Web site. Create and print support materials, or save them to a
Custom Classroom account for future use. To learn more, visit
•
http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/teachingtools.html
Published by Discovery Education. © 2005. All rights reserved.