List the names of six tall buildings (familiar to students if possible) on the board along with the height and width measurements rounded to whole numbers. Instruct students to choose one from the list for this activity. Explain to students that proportion refers to the size of parts in comparison to the whole. For example, if someone is drawing a picture of a building with the surroundings , the actual size of the building is drawn in proportion to the objects around it in height and width such as cars, trees and people. These objects are drawn in correct proportion in comparison to each other.
Write out the scale students will use to convert the actual measurements to a reduced scale for a drawing. Students will use the scale of 100 feet equaling 1 inch; this is the ratio of 100/1. Once students are provided with the actual building measurements (rounded to whole numbers), explain that scale can also be explored using nonstandard units of measurements. Use the example of how the Japanese measure rooms to hold a certain number of Tatami floor mats; in Japan, the size of a room is referred to by the number of mats it can hold.
Model the process of converting the actual measurement of the chosen building into the reduced scale. Show students how to do this by dividing 100 into the total number of feet of the building. For example, if the building is 600 feet tall, divide 100 into 600. The answer is 6. The reduced scale is six inches in height. Once students do this, instruct them to divide 150 into the total number of feet for the width of the building.
Distribute graph paper to students to illustrate the building using the reduced scale. Provide an extension to the activity by challenging students to include additional objects that may be around the building. Have students draw the objects in proportion to the building. Allow students to share their illustrations with the class and make suggestions on additional objects that can be added in proportion to the main illustration of the chosen building.