Activity Introduction
Quick summary: This is a STEAM lesson, which adds the Arts to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). To find out more about STEAM and STEM click here. In this lesson, students will connect knowledge and skills from the areas of Visual Arts, Science and Mathematics to develop geometric string art based on an animal of their choosing. Students will initially explore animal adaptations that allow them to survive in different world environments, then select a specific animal to research further. Students will then explore geometric drawing and create a string art piece using this technique.
Learning intentions: Students will…
- … understand that animal adaptations allow them to survive in harsh environments.
- … create geometric pictures using straight lines.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 5 and 6 Visual Arts
- Develop and apply techniques and processes when making their artworks (ACAVAM115).
- Plan the display of artworks to enhance their meaning for an audience (ACAVAM116).
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 physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094).
Year 5 Mathematics
- Estimate, measure and compare angles using degrees. Construct angles using a protractor (ACMMG112).
Year 6 Mathematics
- Investigate, with and without digital technologies, angles on a straight line, angles at a point and vertically opposite angles. Use results to find unknown angles (ACMMG141).
Syllabus outcomes: VAS3.1, VAS3.2, ST3-10LW, ST3-11LW, MA3-16MG, MA3‑1WM.
General capabilities: Literacy, Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability.
Relevant parts of Year 5 and 6 Visual Arts Achievement Standards: Students explain how ideas are communicated in artworks they make and to which they respond. They describe characteristics of artworks from different social, historical and cultural contexts that influence their art making. Students structure elements and processes of arts subjects to make artworks that communicate meaning. They work collaboratively to share artworks for audiences, demonstrating skills and techniques.
Relevant parts of Year 5 Science Achievement Standards: Students analyse how the form of living things enables them to function in their environments.
Relevant parts of Year 6 Science Achievement Standards: Students describe and predict the effect of environmental changes on individual living things.
Relevant parts of Year 5 Mathematics Achievement Standards: Students measure and construct different angles.
Relevant parts of Year 6 Mathematics Achievement Standards: Students solve problems using the properties of angles.
Topic: Art & Craft.
Unit of work: Learning Through Art & Craft – Primary.
Time required: 120 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – this lesson has elements that draw on a range of skills. Some students may require support to research, others may require support applying new artistic skills, and others again may require support to identify and measure angles.
Resources required:
- Device capable of presenting video
- Digital devices for students to use for research and printing
- Example of completed task
- Equipment capable of projecting to the class.
For each student:
- Black embroidery floss
- Canvas
- Copy of the Student Worksheet
- Embroidery needles
- Masking tape
- Mechanical pencils with HB leads or HB pencils
- Notepad/notepaper
- Plain white paper
- Protractors
- Ruler
- Tracing paper
Keywords: Animal, biology, adaptation, hibernate, migrate, environment, line, geometric, angle, art, craft.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher Preparation
