I made my own graph paper for this project by printing a grid of 1/4" lines on a large piece of paper. This eliminates the need for rulers, and the students can just concentrate on their buildings. 1. Have the students start by drawing a horizon line, about 2" up from the bottom. Then the students draw a series of rectangles that are different heights, but share sides (buildings should look like they touch with no space between).2. Starting at the top left side of the top left building, draw a small line up at a 45% angle. Draw angles like this for all of the corners of all the buildings, making sure these lines all the same length.
3. Starting at the left building, connect the tops of all the angles with a straight line. These lines should all be parallel to the building fronts.
4. Ask the students to add detail to their buildings such as windows, doors, signs, etc. Encourage them to think of buildings in their own neighborhood.
5. Time for skinny black markers to trace everything and good pencil crayons (believe me, cheap ones are not worth it) and lots of careful coloring. Ask the students to color everything in so no white paper remains.
CA Visual Art Standard: Grade 3
2.3 Paint or draw a landscape, seascape, or cityscape that shows the illusion of space.
