7-23-10

Our field trip to the National Cathedral today started with a long and hot walk from the Cleveland Park Metro station to the church, but it was worth it! We first got a tour of the main sanctuary, and then we were taken to parts of the crypt level. The students learned about how gothic structures work, with the ribbed vaulting, flying buttresses, and massive columns, and also that this innovation in structural engineering allowed for the large stained glass windows characteristic of this time period.









After our tour we spent a good time sketching, first on the fundamentals of sketching, and then we asked them to diagram one bay of the nave wall. All of the students are improving in their ability, and each time we look at their drawings they get better and better!