Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this activity students act as animal artists who have been asked to submit works for an exhibition titled “Growl, Tweet, Hiss: Animal artists tell the story of climate change“. Students will research a local indigenous animal, identifying how it will be affected by climate change. They will then create an artwork based on how they think their animal would respond to climate change.
This lesson is part of the CLIMARTE unit. The unit is designed to help students build their knowledge of climate change by exploring the topic through the arts. By harnessing the creative power of the Arts, CLIMARTE aim to inform, engage and inspire real action on climate change. Following this lesson plan is an ideal way to expose your kids to climate change through the medium of art.
We’ve taken elements of this lesson and adapted them for remote learning. You can find this activity here.
Learning goals:
- Students understand some of the impacts of climate change on animals.
- Students recognise different ways of representing ideas and beliefs through art.
- Students explore how to create an online gallery of student artworks.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding.
Australian Curriculum content description:
Year 5 Science
- Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)
Year 6 Science
- The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)
Years 5 & 6 Visual Arts
- Explore ideas and practices used by artists, including practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, to represent different views, beliefs and opinions (ACAVAM114)
- Develop and apply techniques and processes when making their artworks (ACAVAM115)
- Plan the display of artworks to enhance their meaning for an audience (ACAVAM116)
Syllabus Outcomes: ST3-10LW, ST3-11LW, VAS3.1, VAS3.2.
Topic: CLIMARTE
Time required: 2 x 60 mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – assist students with research, oversee activity.
Resources required: Internet access, student worksheets, art materials.
Digital technology opportunities: Blog creation (e.g. Edublogs or WordPress),digital sharing capabilities.
Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for extension.
Keywords: Climate change, art, animals, biodiversity.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.