Climate Art Lesson: Student Project
Lesson Plan
1 hourGrades3, 4, 5Visual and Performing Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Lindsey Pockl
About this lesson
In this lesson, students identify a climate message to convey through their artwork, learn watercolor techniques, identify their target audience, create a rubric, and complete their artwork.
Inquire: Students analyze Jill Pelto's climate data watercolor artwork.
Investigate: Students learn how colors create emotion and practice watercolor techniques.
Inspire: Students develop a climate change message and create watercolor artwork.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught with other lessons highlighting Jill Pelto, including Data & Graphing Lesson: Climate Art.
- Two additional slides for teachers can be found at the end of the Teacher Slideshow with suggestions on how to select a target audience and create a class rubric.
- Teachers can format the Inspire watercolor art activity based on skills and techniques already taught or structure the art time differently.
- A Teacher Rubric is available for teachers to score students' works of art.
- The Inspire section can be extended over several class periods with different stages of art creation.
Prerequisites
- Watercolor paints, water, and paper are necessary for this lesson. Thick watercolor paper will allow for more control of the paint but is not necessary.
- Make sure to provide enough time for setup and cleanup.
- If students are completing reflections and rubrics, the Student Document must be printed beforehand or shared digitally with the students.
- The Inspire section is listed as 30 minutes long. The final parts of this project may take much longer, depending on what you intend to do with your students. Additional time will probably be needed for displaying artwork, completing reflections, completing rubrics, and distributing and collecting rubrics from the target audience.
Differentiation
- Displaying options, target audience, and evaluation methods can vary depending on time, resources, student ability, grade level, and school environment.
- Students can use Jill Pelto’s Outreach Page for ideas and inspiration.
From the scientist review
This lesson connects arts with science, and it is ideal to communicate environmental change. Students learn basic watercolor techniques and apply the technique to create an artwork that would make an impact in their community. The procedures and tools used in the lesson are suitable for achieving the lesson outcomes. The lesson has passed our science review process and is recommended for use.
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About the teacher writer
Lindsey Pockl
Lindsey worked with SubjectToClimate to develop accompanying materials for lesson plans for grades 3-12.
