Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson, students design a dream car and create an artwork to represent their ideas that will be submitted to the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. This contest encourages and inspires creative expression and imagination in students – some amazing ideas are born from dreams! Students will investigate some of the adaptations animals have to enable them to live in extreme environments. Students begin by thinking about how humans differ to animals in how they cope with extreme environments. They then investigate different types of adaptations, including physical and behavioural adaptations. Students will then work in groups to conduct research into the adaptations of one animal and report their findings to classmates. Finally, students will design and create a dream car that incorporates different animal adaptations.
The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest usually commences late October to early November and concludes late to early March. Find up-to-date entry details, prizes and full terms and conditions here.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand what adaptations are.
- Students understand how some of the adaptations animals have enable them to live in extreme environments.
- Students recognise some of the adaptations animals have to enable them to live in extreme environments.
- Students will develop and practise art-making techniques.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
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)
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)
Syllabus outcomes: ST3-10LW, ST3-11LW, VAS3.1, VAS3.2.
General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Literacy.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.7, OI.8.
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 and 6 Visual Arts achievement standards: Students use visual conventions and visual arts practices to express a personal view in their artworks. They demonstrate different techniques and processes in planning and making artworks.
Topic: Biodiversity.
Unit of work: Toyota Dream Car Contest.
Time required: 160+ mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion, guide groups through activities and through the creation of artworks.
Resources required: Paper measuring no larger than 400mm x 550 mm (15.7-21.7in.) or A3 in size. Scrap paper for drafting. Drawing materials, including but not limited to: coloured pencils, pens/markers, crayons, paints, watercolour paints, etc. Student Worksheets – one copy per student. Device capable of presenting a video to the class. Behavioural Adaptations Factsheet – enough copies for half the class working in pairs. Physical Adaptations Factsheet – enough copies for half the class working in pairs. Previous Contest Winners.
Keywords: Dream, car, animals, adaptations, extreme environments, deserts, Antarctica, Arctic, Toyota.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
