ARTISTIC EXPLORATIONS 6-8


ARTISTIC EXPLORATIONS 

ARTISTIC EXPLORATIONS

Learning Description

In this lesson, students will learn about how portrait artists convey characteristics through color and style. Students will then use what they learned to create an artwork to express the changes that a character in a text undergoes due to a conflict or event in the text.

 

Learning Targets

GRADE BAND: 6-8
CONTENT FOCUS: VISUAL ARTS & ELA
LESSON DOWNLOADS:

Download PDF of this Lesson

"I Can" Statements

“I Can…”

  • I can identify and explain how a character changes throughout a text due to a conflict or event. 

  • I can use color and style to describe a character in a text.

Essential Questions

  • How does a character change throughout a text due to a conflict or event? 

  • How can I use color and style to describe a character in a text?

 

Georgia Standards

Curriculum Standards

Grade 6

ELAGSE6RL3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves towards a resolution.

 

 

Grade 7

ELAGSE7RL3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how settings shape the characters or plot).

ELAGSE7RL6 Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

 

Grade 8

ELAGSE8RL3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

 

 

 

 

 

Arts Standards

Grade 6

VA6.CR.1 Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art.

VA6.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and/or methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art.

VA6.CR.3 Engage in an array of processes, media, techniques, and/or technology through experimentation, practice, and persistence.

VA6.CR.4 Incorporate formal and informal components to create works of art.

 

Grade 7

VA7.CR.1 Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art.

VA7.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and/or methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art.

VA7.CR.3 Engage in an array of processes, media, techniques, and/or technology through experimentation, practice, and persistence.

VA7.CR.4 Incorporate formal and informal components to create works of art.

 

 

Grade 8

VA8.CR.1 Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art.

VA8.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and/or methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art.

VA8.CR.3 Engage in an array of processes, media, techniques, and/or technology through experimentation, practice, and persistence.

VA8.CR.4 Incorporate formal and informal components to create works of art.

 

 

 

 

 

South Carolina Standards

Curriculum Standards

Grade 6

Standard 8: Analyze characters, settings, events, and ideas as they develop and interact within a particular context.

8.1 Describe how a plot in a narrative or drama unfolds and how characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution; determine the impact of contextual influences on setting, plot and characters.

Grade 7

Standard 8: Analyze characters, settings, events, and ideas as they develop and interact within a particular context.

8.1 Analyze how setting shapes the characters and/or plot and how particular elements of a narrative or drama interact; determine the impact of contextual influences on setting, plot, and characters. 

Grade 8

Standard 6: Summarize key details and ideas to support analysis of thematic development.

6.1 Determine one or more themes and analyze the development and relationships to character, setting, and plot over the course of a text; provide an objective summary.

Standard 8: Analyze characters, settings, events, and ideas as they develop and interact within a particular context.

 

Arts Standards

Artistic Processes: Creating-I can make artwork using a variety of materials, techniques, and processes.

Anchor Standard 1: I can use the elements and principles of art to create artwork.Anchor Standard 2: I can use different materials, techniques, and processes to make art.

Artistic Processes: Responding- I can evaluate and communicate about the meaning in my artwork and the artwork of others.

Anchor Standard 5: I can interpret (read) and evaluate the meaning of an artwork.

Artistic Processes: Connecting- I can relate artistic ideas and work with personal meaning and external context.Anchor Standard 7: I can relate visual arts ideas to other arts disciplines, content areas, and careers.

 

Key Vocabulary

Content Vocabulary

  • Characterization - The process throughwhich an author develops anddescribes the personalities of thecharacters in a story
  • Theme - A central or underlying idea ormessage that the author conveys
  • Point of view - The perspective fromwhich a story is narrated or presented
  • Perspective - An individual's particularway of seeing, understanding, orinterpreting something
  • Internal conflict - When a characterexperiences a struggle or dilemmawithin themselves
  • External conflict - The struggle or clashbetween a character and an externalforce, which can be another character,society, nature, or

 

 

Arts Vocabulary

  • Color - One of the seven elements of art; reflected or absorbed light
  • Style - The distinctive and recognizable way in which an artist expresses themselves through their artwork
  • Subject - The primary object, scene, or concept that the artwork is about
  • Portrait - An artist’s depiction of a person

 

 

Materials

    • Pencils
    • Scissors
    • Tape or glue sticks
    • Colored pencils and/or markers
    • Blank color wheel
    • Cube template
    • Color and Feelings/characteristics graphic organizer

     

     

    Instructional Design

    Opening/Activating Strategy

    • Organize students in small groups of 2-3. Give each group a copy of one of the following artworks. Multiple groups can have the same image. 

    The Scream by Edvard Munch 

    Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso 

    Rembrandt Laughing by Rembrandt van Rijn 

    Self Portrait in a Cap by Rembrandt van Rijn 

    Sorrowing old man ('At Eternity's Gate') by Vincent Van Gogh 

    • Ask students to identify and write down what they think the person in the artwork might be thinking and feeling. Direct students’ attention to the style, color, and subject of the artwork. 
    • Then, ask students to write down how they came to that conclusion using evidence from the image. Encourage students to talk about how the artist uses color. 
    • Project each of the images on the board. Students will share their conclusions with the class. 
    • Explain to students that they will be creating artwork that shows how a character in a literary work changes over the course of the text.

     

    Work Session

    • Review perspective and point of view with students. 
    • Each student should select a character from the text being studied. 
    • Students should determine what the catalyst for change is that the character experiences in the text, such as an internal or external conflict, a specific event, etc. 
    • Show students an image of a color wheel. Tell students that color can communicate different things to different people, and that artists use color as a means of 

    communication. Show students Woman with Folded Arms by Pablo Picasso. Ask students how Picasso uses color as a tool of communication. 

    • Provide each student with a blank color wheel. In the same small groups at the activating strategy, have students label their color wheels with the colors and the 

    feelings/characteristics they associate with that color. Students can use multiple words for each color. Use blue as an example–it can represent sadness, melancholy, calm, peacefulness, etc. 

    • Next, pass out cube templates. Tell students that they will write a summary of the event, conflict, etc. that propelled change in the character on the bottom inside of what will become the cube/box. 
    • On each of what will be the sides of the cube, students should briefly explain how the character changed due to the event, conflict, etc. See here
    • Next, students will create four artworks on the reverse side of each character change explanation that illustrate the character of choice at four different points in the text. Each artwork should represent the character at different points in the text as he/she has changed. These will be on the outside of the cube/box when the box is constructed. See here.

    ○ Students should think about how artists from the activator portrayed different characteristics and emotions. 

    ○ Students should also use their color wheels to help them determine what colors they will use in each illustration. 

    ● Finally, students should use tape or glue to put the cube together. Artwork should be on the outside of the cube and explanations on the inside. See here.

    Closing Reflection

    Group students in groups of 4-5. Students should see if they can determine which character from the text each of their classmates selected for their artwork. 

    Then, students should present their artwork stating which character they selected, identifying the catalyst for change, and explaining how each of their illustrations show the change the character experienced.

    Assessments

    Formative

    Teachers will assess understanding through the following questions: 

    • Are students able to explain how artists communicate characteristics and emotions visually? 
    • Are students able to identify an event or conflict that leads to change in a character and explain how that character changes over the course of the text? 
    • Are students able to connect color to emotions/characteristics?

     

    Summative

    CHECKLIST 

    • Does students’ artwork: 

    ○ Identify the event or conflict that leads to change in a character? 

    ○ Demonstrate visually and verbally how the character changes throughout the text? ○ Use color to communicate feelings and characteristics of the character? ● Are students able to present their artwork stating which character they selected, identifying the catalyst for change, and explaining how each of their illustrations show the change the character experienced?

    Differentiation

    Acceleration: Students should select one of the artworks discussed in class. Students should conduct an independent study on the artwork and artist. Students should create their artwork in the style of this artist. 

    Remediation: 

    ● Allow students to orally explain how the event or conflict changed the character. ● Allow students to use bullet points or a numbered list to explain how the event or conflict changed the character. 

    ● Allow students to work in small groups on the same artwork and character. Each student can create one small artwork that they will cut out and glue onto the box to make the collaborative artwork.

     

    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

    ● Artworks: 

    Woman with Folded Arms by Pablo Picasso 

    The Scream by Edvard Munch 

    Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso 

    Rembrandt Laughing by Rembrandt van Rijn 

    Self Portrait in a Cap by Rembrandt van Rijn 

    Sorrowing old man ('At Eternity's Gate') by Vincent Van Gogh 

    Cube template 

    Color wheel 

    Color and Feelings/characteristics graphic organizer

     

    *This integrated lesson provides differentiated ideas and activities for educators that are aligned to a sampling of standards. Standards referenced at the time of publishing may differ based on each state’s adoption of new standards. 

    Ideas contributed by: Katy Betts 

    Revised and copyright: 2024 @ ArtsNOW

    VISUALIZING ECONOMIC SYSTEMS 6-7

    VISUALIZING ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

     

    VISUALIZING ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

    Learning Description

    In this lesson, students will explore how they can express the characteristics of different economic systems through line, shape, and color. Students will then write about their artwork explaining how their artwork shows the different characteristics of each economic system.

     

    Learning Targets

    GRADE BAND: 6-7
    CONTENT FOCUS: VISUAL ARTS & SOCIAL STUDIES
    LESSON DOWNLOADS:

    Download PDF of this Lesson

    "I Can" Statements

    “I Can…”

    • I can describe the characteristics of a command, market, and mixed economy.

    • I can use line, shape, and color to express the characteristics of different economic systems.

    • I can explain the connection between my artwork and the characteristics of different economic systems.

    Essential Questions

    • What are the characteristics of a command, market, and mixed economy?

    • How can I use line, shape, and color to express the characteristics of different economic systems?

    • How can I explain the connection between my artwork and the characteristics of different economic systems?

     

    Georgia Standards

    Curriculum Standards

    Grade 6

    SS6E, SS6E7, SS6E10 

    Analyze different economic systems. a. Compare how traditional, command, and market economies answer the economic questions of 1-what to produce, 2-how to produce, and 3-for whom to produce. b. Explain that countries have a mixed economic system located on a continuum between pure market and pure command.

     

    Grade 7

    SS7E1, SS7E4, SS7E7

    Analyze different economic systems. a. Compare how traditional, command, and market economies answer the economic questions of 1-what to produce, 2-how to produce, and 3-for whom to produce. b. Explain that countries have a mixed economic system located on a continuum between pure market and pure command.

     

    Personal Finance and Economics

    SSEF3 Analyze how economic systems influence the choices of individuals, businesses, and governments. 

    1. Analyze how command, market and mixed economic systems answer the three basic economic questions (what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce) to prioritize various social and economic goals such as freedom, security, equity, growth, efficiency, price stability, full employment, and sustainability.

     

     

     

     

    Arts Standards

    Grade 6

    VA6.CR.1 Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art. 

    VA6.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and/or methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art.

    VA6.CR.3 Engage in an array of processes, media, techniques, and/or technology through experimentation, practice, and persistence.

    VA6.CR.4 Incorporate formal and informal components to create works of art.

     

    Grade 7

    VA7.CR.1 Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art. 

    VA7.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and/or methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art.

    VA7.CR.3 Engage in an array of processes, media, techniques, and/or technology through experimentation, practice, and persistence. 

    VA7.CR.4 Incorporate formal and informal components to create works of art.

     

    High School

    VAHSAD.CR.4 Incorporate formal and informal components to create applied design art products and/or designs.

     

    VAHSAD.RE.3 Engage in the process of art criticism to make meaning and increase visual Visual Art Georgia Standards of Excellence 

     

    VAHSAH.RE.3 Compare and contrast works of art, artists, cultures, and eras based on visual and contextual evidence.

     

    VAHSAH.CN.1 Evaluate the influence of historical, political, economic, social, cultural, religious, and technological factors on the development of selected works of art from prehistoric to contemporary times and in a variety of societies 

     

    VAHSCR.CR.1 Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art. 

     

    VAHSAH.PR.1 Identify and discuss related themes throughout the history of art (e.g. power and authority, sacred spaces, human figure, narrative, nature, spiritual objects) as expressed in different media within each culture and time period (e.g. two-dimensional work, three-dimensional work, architecture, multi-media).

     

    VAHSAH.RE.1 Identify and describe how artistic expression is conveyed visually through subject matter, media, technique, and design (e.g. composition, color scheme). Visual Art Georgia Standards of Excellence 

     

    VAHSAHRE.2 Discuss aesthetic issues (e.g. why humans create, criteria for defining an object as art, the effect of how content affects value, standards of beauty and beauty’s role in defining art, how needs are fulfilled by art in varied societies). 

     

    VAHSAH.RE.3 Compare and contrast works of art, artists, cultures, and eras based on visual and contextual evidence. 

     

     

     

     

    South Carolina Standards

    Curriculum Standards

    Economics and Personal Finance

    Standard 1: Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental economic concepts at an individual, business, and governmental level.

    EPF.1.IN Research and utilize evidence to explain how various economic systems address the basic economic questions regarding distribution of resources.

     

     

    Arts Standards

    Artistic Processes: Creating- I can make artwork using a variety of materials, techniques, and processes.

    Anchor Standard 1: I can use the elements and principles of art to create artwork.

    Anchor Standard 2: I can use different materials, techniques, and processes to make art.

    Artistic Processes: Responding- I can evaluate and communicate about the meaning in my artwork and the artwork of others.

    Anchor Standard 5: I can interpret (read) and evaluate the meaning of an artwork.

    Artistic Processes: Connecting- I can relate artistic ideas and work with personal meaning and external context.

    Anchor Standard 7: I can relate visual arts ideas to other arts disciplines, content areas, and careers.

     

     

     

     

    Key Vocabulary

    Content Vocabulary

    • Market economy - An economic system in which all economic questions are answers by consumers and producers
    • Command economy - An economic system in which all economic questions are answered by the government
    • Mixed economy - An economic system in which economic questions are answered by both the government as well as producers and consumers

     

     

    Arts Vocabulary

    • Line - One of the Elements of Art; the path of a moving point
    • Shape - One of the Elements of Art; a two-dimensional or flat object; an enclosed line
    • Color - One of the Elements of Art; how light is seen as reflected or absorbed on a surface
    • Symbol - An image that has meaning

     

     

    Materials

       

       

      Instructional Design

      Opening/Activating Strategy

      • Display the painting, Chairman Mao en Route to Anyuan by Liu Chunhua (7th grade Social Studies) or The Bolshevik by Boris Kustodiev (6th grade Social Studies). Direct students to engage in the Artful Thinking “Step Inside” protocol. In this protocol, students ask themselves: 
      • Allow students time to discuss in small groups.
      • Provide context for the painting shown: Chairman Mao and the communist revolution in China or the Russian Revolution of 1917. 
      • Engage students in a conversation about what they know about economic systems in communist and socialist countries.

       

      Work Session

      ***Teacher note: If students have not learned about market, command, and mixed economies, pause the arts integrated lesson to teach these economic systems.

      • Provide students with a graphic organizer on the three main economic systems. 
        • One column has the economic system, one has a place for students to write characteristics, and one has a place for students to draw symbols, lines, shapes, and colors that represent characteristics of that economic system.
      • Show students images of lines, shapes, and colors
        • Examples: A straight line might symbolize complete control while a very wavy/curly line might symbolize total freedom; a slightly wavy line would represent a mixture of both a straight and very wavy/curvy line. A solid primary color (red, blue, yellow) or white or black might symbolize something that is absolute while gray or a secondary color, which is a mix of primary colors (orange, purple, green), might symbolize a mix of two economic systems.
        • In collaborative groups, direct students to identify what they think these lines, shapes, and colors represent. 
        • Help students connect these elements of art to characteristics of the three main economic systems. 
      • Show students an example of an abstract artwork such as Cossacks by Wassily Kandinsky versus a representational artwork like Chairman Mao en Route to Anyuan or The Bolshevik
        • Discuss with students how abstract artists use the Elements of Art (line, shape, form, value, space, color, and texture) to communicate meaning while representational artists use recognizable images to communicate meaning. Ask students what they see in Chairman Mao en Route to Anyuan or The Bolshevik that might symbolize meaning.
      • Explain to students that they will use symbols, lines, shapes, and colors to create an artwork that represents each economic system. 
        • Students will use these elements of art to represent something representational or abstract. Whichever they choose, they should be able to explain how their use of symbols, lines, shapes, and colors communicate the characteristics of each economic system.
      • Demonstrate to students how to create a trifold with their paper. Each section will represent a different economic system. 
      • Allow students time to complete their artwork.
      • Students should then write an artist statement in paragraph format that answers the following questions:
        • What are the three economic systems and what are their characteristics?
        • How did you show the characteristics of each economic system using symbols, lines, shapes, and colors (students should  be specific citing each characteristic and how it was represented.

      Closing Reflection

      • After students have created their artwork, students should present in collaborative groups how they represented each economic system using line, shape, and color.

      Assessments

      Formative

      Teachers will assess student learning using the following criteria:

      • Are students able to explain the characteristics of command, market, and mixed economic systems?
      • Are students able to identify symbols, lines, shapes, and colors that represent the characteristics of the economic systems?

       

      Summative

      CHECKLIST

      • Does the student’s final artwork demonstrate an understanding of the three economic systems through the use of symbols, lines, shapes, and colors?
      • Does the artist statement demonstrate a logical connection between the characteristics of each system and the symbols, lines, shapes, and colors that the student used?

      Differentiation

      Acceleration: Students can choose an economic system of one of the countries they are studying. Students will use what they learned in the economic systems artwork to create one large piece of art specifically about their selected country’s economic system. Students can work with partners or independently.

      Remediation: 

      • Provide guided notes in the graphic organizer under the “characteristics” section.
      • Allow students to work in groups of three–each student will create an artwork for one economic system. Students will put their artwork together once they’ve finished.
      • Allow students to explain how they showed the characteristics of their system(s) in their artwork orally.

       

       ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

       

      *This integrated lesson provides differentiated ideas and activities for educators that are aligned to a sampling of standards. Standards referenced at the time of publishing may differ based on each state’s adoption of new standards.

      Ideas contributed by:  Katy Betts

      Revised and copyright:  2023 @ ArtsNOW

      USING TEXTURE TO CREATE PHYSICAL FEATURES 6-7

      USING TEXTURE TO CREATE PHYSICAL FEATURES

       

      USING TEXTURE TO CREATE PHYSICAL FEATURES

      Learning Description

      In this lesson, students will use the Element of Art, Texture, to create an artwork that shows thephysical and political features of a region that they are studying. Students will be able to predictwhere people live and why based on their knowledge of physical and political features.

       

      Learning Targets

      GRADE BAND: 6-7
      CONTENT FOCUS: VISUAL ARTS & SOCIAL STUDIES
      LESSON DOWNLOADS:

      Download PDF of this Lesson

      "I Can" Statements

      “I Can…”

      • I can identify important physical features, landforms, and political features in an area that I am studying.
      • I can use texture to visually communicate the various physical features I am studying.
      • I can work collaboratively with a group to create a mixed media artwork that shows the various physical and political features I am studying.
      • I can use what I know about physical features to predict where people choose to live and wh

      Essential Questions

      • How can I identify important physical and political features in an area that I am studying?
      • How can I use texture to visually communicate characteristics of various physical features that I am studying?
      • How can I work collaboratively with a group to create a mixed media artwork that shows the various physical features, landforms, and political features I am studying?
      • How can I use what I know about physical features to predict where people choose to live and why?

       

      Georgia Standards

      Curriculum Standards

      Grade 6

      SS6G1 Locate selected features of Latin America.

      SS6G3 Explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Latin America.

      SS6G4 Locate selected features of Canada.

      SS6G5 Explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Canada.

      SS6G7 Locate selected features of Europe.

      SS6G9 Explain the impact of location, climate, natural resources, and population distribution on Europe. 

      SS6G11 Locate selected features of Australia.

      SS6G12 Explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Australia.

       

      Grade 7

      SS7G1 Locate selected features of Africa.

      SS7G3 Explain the impact of location, climate, and physical characteristics on population distribution in Africa.

      SS7G5 Locate selected features in Southwest Asia (Middle East).

      SS7G7 Explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Southwest Asia (Middle East).

      SS7G9 Locate selected features in Southern and Eastern Asia.

      SS7G11 Explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Southern and Eastern Asia.

       

       

       

      Arts Standards

      Grade 6

      VA6.CR.1 Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art. 

      VA6.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and/or methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art.

      VA6.CR.3 Engage in an array of processes, media, techniques, and/or technology through experimentation, practice, and persistence.

      VA6.CR.4 Incorporate formal and informal components to create works of art.

       

      Grade 7

      VA7.CR.1 Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art. 

      VA7.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and/or methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art.

      VA7.CR.3 Engage in an array of processes, media, techniques, and/or technology through experimentation, practice, and persistence. 

      VA7.CR.4 Incorporate formal and informal components to create works of art.

       

       

       

       

       

      South Carolina Standards

      Curriculum Standards

      Grade 7

      Standard 1: Analyze the cultural, economic, environmental, physical, political, and population geographies of contemporary Africa.

      Standard 2: Analyze the cultural, economic, environmental, physical, political, and population geographies of contemporary Asia.

      Standard 3: Analyze the cultural, economic, environmental, physical, political, and population geographies of contemporary Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica.

      Standard 4: Analyze the cultural, economic, environmental, physical, political, and population geographies of contemporary Europe.

      Standard 5: Analyze the cultural, economic, environmental, physical, political, and population geographies of contemporary North America.

       

       

       

      Arts Standards

      Artistic Processes: Creating- I can make artwork using a variety of materials, techniques, and processes.

      Anchor Standard 1: I can use the elements and principles of art to create artwork.

      Anchor Standard 2: I can use different materials, techniques, and processes to make art.

      Artistic Processes: Responding- I can evaluate and communicate about the meaning in my artwork and the artwork of others.

      Anchor Standard 5: I can interpret (read) and evaluate the meaning of an artwork.

      Artistic Processes: Connecting- I can relate artistic ideas and work with personal meaning and external context.

      Anchor Standard 7: I can relate visual arts ideas to other arts disciplines, content areas, and careers.

       

       

       

       

      Key Vocabulary

      Content Vocabulary

      • Physical feature - Natural features on the surface of the earth such as mountains and valleys

      • Political feature - A feature on a map that represents human-made boundaries like countries or cities

      • Population distribution - How population is spread throughout a region

       

      Arts Vocabulary

      • Actual texture - How something actually feels (like a sculpture)
      • Implied texture - How something looks like it would feel/how an artist wants the viewer to imagine something might feel if the viewer was there in person (example: textures portrayed in a landscape drawing or painting)
      • Actual texture - How something feels
      • Mixed media - Using different materials in one artwork

       

       

      Materials

        • White butcher paper
        • Markers
        • Pencils
        • Various materials such as aluminum foil, leaves, sticks, napkins, tissue paper, construction paper, plastic wrap, string, cotton balls, plastic bags, sand paper, etc.
        • Teacher tip: Introduce texture in art with students–ask students to bring in scrap/recyclable materials that have a variety of textures; don’t tell students what they will be doing with the materials!
            • Liquid glue
            • Teacher tip: Pour a small amount of liquid glue on a disposable plate; cut up basic kitchen sponges for students to use to apply glue to art
              • Scissors

               

              Instructional Design

              Opening/Activating Strategy

              • Show students the artwork Sphinx’s Atelier by Robert Rauschenberg. Conduct the Harvard Project Zero Artful Thinking Strategy: See, Think, Wonder with students. First, students will identify what they see in the image. Emphasize that they should make objective observations about the artwork (i.e. physical features, colors, textures, etc.). Next, ask students to identify what they think about the image. Emphasize that students should be creating inferences using visual evidence from the artwork. Finally, ask students what they wonder about the image. 
              • Facilitate a class-wide discussion around students’ observations, inferences, and questions.
              • Ask students what they think the artwork would feel like if they could touch it. After students have shared, explain that how something feels or looks like it feels in art is called Texture. Actual texture is when someone can actually feel the texture the artist wants the viewer to see, as in a sculpture. However, actual texture can also be used on artwork like Sphinx’s Atelier because the artist intended the artwork to have a texture that could be felt. Ask students why they think an artist might make this choice.

               

               

              Work Session

                • Show students images of physical features from the regions that they are studying in class. Ask students to identify the textures that they see in the images. Ask students what types of everyday materials could they use to communicate these textures (for example, students might say aluminum foil for the Andes Mountains in South America).
                • Next, explain to students that they will be creating an artwork about a region they are studying. Students will need to have an understanding of the physical and political features present in that region before beginning.
                • Organize students into collaborative groups. Assign each student in the group a different region of the continent, country, or state they are studying. Together, students should label a map of the continent, country or state with the physical features and any important political features such as cities that they are required to know from the standards.
                • Then, students should make notes on their map of what types of textures they would see at each of the physical features. 
                • Next, students should re-draw and label their continent, country, or state on white butcher paper. 
                • Students should then look through the materials available to them and gather materials that they could use to create each of the physical features using glue and scissors.
                • Each student in the group should choose a section of the region about which they will make their artwork. For example, if the students are learning about South America, one student would be responsible for physical and political features in the western region of the continent, such as the Andes Mountains. Another student would be responsible for the eastern region including the Amazon Rainforest. 
                • Each student will create the physical and political features on the portion of the map artwork they chose to represent through in their region

                Closing Reflection

                • Students should write an “artist statement” that includes the following information:  
                • Allow students to conduct a gallery walk comparing and contrasting the way students communicated the physical features in the same region and in different regions. 

                Assessments

                Formative

                • Teacher will assess understanding of learning by determining:

                  • Are students able to identify the important physical and political features in the regions they are studying?
                  • Are students able to explain what actual texture is and connect it to physical features?

                   

                  Summative

                  • CHECKLIST

                    • Does students’ artwork: 
                      • Include the important physical and political features in the standards?
                      • Include a range of textures to communicate the various physical features?
                    • Does students’ artist statement explain: 
                      • What they showed in their assigned area of the region and why they used the materials that they chose to represent the physical features
                      • How they used texture to communicate what the region’s physical features are like
                      • Predictions about where most people live and why

                  Differentiation

                  Acceleration: Students should make a corresponding population density map artwork. Students can choose what they want to use to represent population density–color, shape, line, symbol, etc. Students should then compare the population density map artwork to the physical and political features map artwork and make inferences about why the population is dense in some areas and sparse in others.

                  Remediation: 

                  • Provide students with a graphic organizer that states the physical feature and guided notes on the description. Add a column on the left for students to write words that describe the textures and colors that they would see.
                  • Allow students to work with partners to create their section of the artwork.
                  • Provide photos of the region for students to use as a guide as they create their artwork.
                  • Allow students to share their artist statement orally.

                   

                   ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

                   

                  *This integrated lesson provides differentiated ideas and activities for educators that are aligned to a sampling of standards. Standards referenced at the time of publishing may differ based on each state’s adoption of new standards.

                  Ideas contributed by:  Katy Betts

                  Revised and copyright:  2023 @ ArtsNOW

                  WATER CYCLE ACTIVATION 4-5

                  WATER CYCLE ACTIVATION

                   

                  WATER CYCLE ACTIVATION

                  Learning Description

                  Students will examine the parts of the water cycle through theatre. After a group of students demonstrates a tableau of the water cycle, the class will break up into groups to enact each part of the cycle and attach vocabulary inherent to each section. The room will be flowing with the water cycle coming to life!

                   

                  Learning Targets

                  GRADE BAND: 4-5
                  CONTENT FOCUS: THEATRE & SCIENCE
                  LESSON DOWNLOADS:

                  Download PDF of this Lesson

                  "I Can" Statements

                  “I Can…”

                  • I can work with others to enact the parts of the water cycle.
                  • I can demonstrate my understanding of water conservation methods using pantomime.

                  Essential Questions

                  • How can acting deepen understanding of the water cycle?
                  • How can I demonstrate my understanding of water conservation practices using pantomime?

                   

                  Georgia Standards

                  Curriculum Standards

                  Grade 4

                  S4E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to demonstrate the water cycle.

                  1. b. Develop models to illustrate multiple pathways water may take during thewater cycle (evaporation, condensation, and precipitation)

                     

                     

                    Arts Standards

                    Grade 4

                    TAES4.3: Acting by developing, communicating, and sustaining roles within a variety of situationsand environments.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                    South Carolina Standards

                    Curriculum Standards

                    EARTH AND HUMAN ACTIVITY (ESS3)

                    5-ESS3-1. Evaluate potential solutions to problems that individual communities face in protecting the Earth’s resources and environment.

                     

                    Arts Standards

                    Anchor Standard 3: I can act in improvised scenes and written scripts.

                     

                     

                    Key Vocabulary

                    Content Vocabulary

                      • Clouds – Accumulations of particles of water or ice suspended in the air that are visible above the earth’s surface 

                       

                      • Collection – The process by which water that returns to the earth’s surface as precipitation gathers in bodies of water; collection happens in oceans, lakes, rivers, and in accumulations of groundwater.

                       

                      • Condensation – The process by which a gas turns into a liquid; when vapor in the atmosphere gets cold it changes from gas back into liquid in clouds.

                       

                      • Conservation – Responsible and judicious use of a resource in a way that avoids waste.

                       

                      • Cycle – Something that happens over and over again in the same way
                      • Evaporation – The process by which a liquid becomes a gas; in the water cycle, liquid water evaporates and turns into water vapor. 

                       

                      • Gas – A substance that is able to expand freely to fill the whole of a container, having no fixed shape and no fixed volume; water in gas form is water vapor.

                       

                      • Groundwater – Water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.

                       

                      • Liquid – A substance that flows freely without a firm or consistent shape, but of constant volume: water in liquid form is water.
                      • Precipitation – The process by which water returns to the surface of the earth in liquid or solid form; precipitation takes the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail.

                       

                      • Solid – A substance that is firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid; water in solid form is ice.
                      • States of Matter – The forms in which matter can exist: solid, liquid, and gas 

                       

                      • Transpiration – The passage of water vapor from a living body into the atmosphere; plants transpire through their leaves; people transpire through sweat.

                     

                    Arts Vocabulary

                      • Act – To pretend; to play a role

                       

                      • Collaboration – Working together, teamwork

                       

                      • Pantomime – Pretending to hold, use or touch something that you are not really holding, using, or touching; a form of silent theatre

                      Tableau – A frozen picture created by actors (plural: Tableaux)

                     

                     

                    Materials

                    • 10 sets of photos of the four stages in the water cycle (Condensation, Evaporation, Precipitation, Collection). These should each have two holes punched in top corners and a string through them so that students can wear each photo around their neck to allow their hands and body to move freely.  The photos should have Velcro to attach the words below.
                    • 10 sets of paper strips with the following words: Condensation, Evaporation, Precipitation, Rain, Snow, Sleet, Hail, Groundwater, Transpiration, Vapor, Clouds. Each strip should have Velcro on the back so that they can be attached to the pictures above.

                    Index cards with the conservation methods written on them. One method for each card.

                     

                    Instructional Design

                    Opening/Activating Strategy

                    WATER CYCLE MOVEMENTS

                    • Have students stand up in place.  Teach and lead them through movement sequences for four stages of the water cycle, coordinated with articulating the words.  Describe what each movement signifies:
                      • Evaporation – 

                    “E” – arms out like a body of water circled in front of belly (water)

                    “vap” – fingers intertwined and rolling like a body of water (liquid)

                    “or” – palms flat out like the sun’s rays (sun)

                    “a” - fingers wiggles up in front of face (vapors) 

                    “tion” – fingers wiggle up above head to disappear (gas)

                    • Condensation  – 

                    “Con” – wiggly fingers above head (gas)

                    “den” – shiver and hands above heads shake (cold)

                    “sa” – hands wave fluidly above head (water)

                    “tion” – hands grasp together above head (cloud) 

                    • Precipitation –

                    “Pre” – arms circled above head like a cloud

                    “ci” – wiggles fingers down like rain in front of face (rain)

                    “pi” – hands blink open, closed like snowflakes (snow)

                    “ta” – punch right fist down (sleet)

                    “tion” – punch left fist down then left fist (hail) 

                    • Collection – 

                    “Col” – arms rounded out in front (lake)

                    “lec” – hands out like waves (ocean)

                    “tion” – hands moving down low (groundwater)

                     

                     

                    Work Session

                        • ACTIVATING THE WATER CYCLE
                          • Introduce the concept of tableau – a frozen picture created by actors.  Explain that the class will be creating tableaux of the water cycle.
                          • Invite four students to the front of the class.  Work with the students, with suggestions from the rest of the class, to create a tableau that portrays the water cycle.  
                            • Remind the class that the water cycle is not linear, so the students should not be standing in a line. 
                            • Remind them that there is no proper beginning or end – it’s a continuous cycle.
                            • Encourage the students to be creative in determining how they can use their bodies to convey the cyclical nature of the processes.  As appropriate to the class rules and culture, allow students to take positions up on chairs or down on the floor.
                          • Have students wear the photo that correlates with their part of the cycle.
                          • Ask other students to come up and velcro the appropriate vocabulary word to the appropriate part of the cycle where it belongs.
                          • Activate the cycle by having students adopt movements – heads, hands, arms, legs, full bodies – that convey what is happening in their part of the water cycle, and add in any appropriate sounds. Remind students of the motions they used at the beginning of class.

                           

                          GROUP TABLEAUX

                          • Divide the class into groups of four.  Have each group create and then activate their own tableau of the water cycle.  Encourage them to find different ways, from what was modeled for the class, to position themselves and move for their parts of the water cycle, and to interact with others in their group as well.
                          • Give each group the photo visuals and ask each person to wear one part of the cycle.  Then have them attach the appropriate vocabulary to their part.
                          • Have groups show their cycles to the rest of the class.
                          • Reflect on the different interpretations of the different groups, and how each conveyed concepts about the water cycle.

                           

                          WATER CONSERVATION

                          • Ask the class: “Do you think that we will have water forever?”  Explain: “Water does keep cycling but we can misuse and overuse water and some places are in danger of drought.”
                          • Remind students that, “Water is one of our most important resources.”  Ask students: 
                            • “Why is it so important?  What do we use water for?  Is it important to other organisms as well?”  
                            • Be sure to discuss that we use water to produce and prepare food, clean our bodies, wash our dishes and clothes, process our waste, and manufacture and transport goods; we use it for recreation, and to produce hydroelectric power.  
                            • As individuals, we use large amounts of water:  it is estimated that the average American uses around 180 gallons of water a day.
                          • Discuss Conservation – the responsible and judicious use of a resource in a way that avoids waste.
                          • Introduce and discuss the following list of water conservation practices: 
                          1. Avoid watering the lawn or garden between 10 am and 6 pm.
                          2. Take shorter showers.
                          3. Wash the car over the lawn instead of the driveway.
                          4. Turn off the water when brushing teeth. 
                          5. Use wastewater from cooking to water plants.
                          6. Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when full.
                          7. Keep water in the refrigerator for cold water.
                          8. Fix leaky faucets and hoses.
                          9. Do not use the toilet as a garbage can.

                          Brainstorm other ideas that the students might have.  Put those on additional cards.

                           

                          WATER CONSERVATION PANTOMIMES

                          • Introduce Pantomime - pretending to hold, use or touch something that you are not really holding, using, or touching; a form of silent theatre.
                          • Model and practice a simple pantomime activity (e.g., sweeping the floor, eating a sandwich, swinging a baseball bat, etc.).  
                            • Encourage students to think about the size, weight and shape of the objects in their pantomimes; to be specific with their movements; and to include facial expressions.
                          • Have students come up one at a time, or in small groups, and pick a card with a water conservation practice on it.  
                            • Have the individual or small group pantomime the action on their card. They should not speak during the pantomimes.
                          • Have other students guess which water conservation practice they are showing.  After guessing, have the class describe the specific aspects of the pantomime that conveyed the water conservation practice.

                         

                         

                        Closing Reflection

                        • Review the words and movements for the parts of the water cycle.
                        • Review the drama strategies used – Movement, Tableau, and Pantomime.
                        • Ask students to reflect on how their thinking about water and the water cycle has changed through the lesson.
                        • Ask students to discuss steps they might take in their lives to use water responsibly.

                         

                         

                        Assessments

                        Formative

                        Teacher will assess understanding of the water cycle and methods of water conservation through the opening activity, class discussion, and observation.

                           

                          Summative

                          • CHECKLIST: 
                            • Students can accurately identify the key components of the water cycle and match vocabulary words with steps of the water cycle.
                            • Students can work together cooperatively to create tableaux.
                            • Students can use their bodies expressively, and create tableaus with a variety of angles, shapes, levels, and facial expressions.
                            • Students can pantomime water conservation practices silently and with detailed movements and facial expressions

                             

                            • Have students draw a diagram of the water cycle, with each part labeled accurately.
                            • Have students draw a picture, using stick figures in particular poses, to portray their group’s water cycle tableau.
                            • Have students write a paragraph about their own water use and how they plan to incorporate water conservation practices into their daily lives.

                           

                          Differentiation

                           

                          Acceleration: 

                          • Rather than using predetermined movements for the activator, have students collectively come up with the movements for each syllable.
                          • When adding movement to the tableaux, have students speak a sentence as their part of the water cycle (e.g., “I am precipitation – I love raining down on the mountains and plains, and on cities and towns and making everyone have indoor recess!”)

                           

                          Remediation: 

                          • Encourage groups to come up with alternate ideas for the water cycle tableaux, but allow them to replicate what was done in the model tableau.
                          • Rather than have students guess each other’s pantomimes, work together as a class to develop a short pantomime sequence for each water conservation practice card.

                           

                           ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

                           

                          *This integrated lesson provides differentiated ideas and activities for educators that are aligned to a sampling of standards. Standards referenced at the time of publishing may differ based on each state’s adoption of new standards.

                           

                          Ideas contributed by:  Barry Stewart Mann and Susie Spear Purcell

                           

                          Revised and copyright:  January 2024 @ ArtsNOW

                          WATER CYCLE ACTIVATION 6

                          WATER CYCLE ACTIVATION

                           

                          WATER CYCLE ACTIVATION

                          Learning Description

                          Students will examine the parts of the water cycle through theatre. After a group of students demonstrates a tableau of the water cycle, the class will break up into groups to enact each part of the cycle and attach vocabulary inherent to each section. The room will be flowing with the water cycle coming to life!

                           

                          Learning Targets

                          GRADE BAND: 6
                          CONTENT FOCUS: THEATRE & SCIENCE
                          LESSON DOWNLOADS:

                          Download PDF of this Lesson

                          "I Can" Statements

                          “I Can…”

                          • I can work with others to enact the parts of the water cycle.
                          • I can demonstrate my understanding of water conservation methods using pantomime.

                          Essential Questions

                          • How can acting deepen understanding of the water cycle?
                          • How can I demonstrate my understanding of water conservation practices using pantomime?

                           

                          Georgia Standards

                          Curriculum Standards

                          Grade 6

                          S6E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to recognize the significant role of water in Earth processes.

                          1. Plan and carry out an investigation to illustrate the role of the sun’s energy in atmospheric conditions that lead to the cycling of water. (Clarification statement: The water cycle should include evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration, infiltration, groundwater, and runoff.)

                          S6E6. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the uses and conservation of various natural resources and how they impact the Earth.

                          1. Design and evaluate solutions for sustaining the quality and supply of natural resources such as water, soil, and air.

                           

                           

                           

                          Arts Standards

                          TA6.PR.1 Act by communicating and sustaining roles in formal and informal environments.

                           

                           

                           

                           

                          South Carolina Standards

                          Curriculum Standards

                          6-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.

                           

                          Arts Standards

                          Anchor Standard 3: I can act in improvised scenes and written scripts.

                           

                           

                          Key Vocabulary

                          Content Vocabulary

                            • Clouds – Accumulations of particles of water or ice suspended in the air that are visible above the earth’s surface 

                             

                            • Collection – The process by which water that returns to the earth’s surface as precipitation gathers in bodies of water; collection happens in oceans, lakes, rivers, and in accumulations of groundwater.

                             

                            • Condensation – The process by which a gas turns into a liquid; when vapor in the atmosphere gets cold it changes from gas back into liquid in clouds.

                             

                            • Conservation – Responsible and judicious use of a resource in a way that avoids waste.

                             

                            • Cycle – Something that happens over and over again in the same way
                            • Evaporation – The process by which a liquid becomes a gas; in the water cycle, liquid water evaporates and turns into water vapor. 

                             

                            • Gas – A substance that is able to expand freely to fill the whole of a container, having no fixed shape and no fixed volume; water in gas form is water vapor.

                             

                            • Groundwater – Water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.

                             

                            • Liquid – A substance that flows freely without a firm or consistent shape, but of constant volume: water in liquid form is water.
                            • Precipitation – The process by which water returns to the surface of the earth in liquid or solid form; precipitation takes the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail.

                             

                            • Solid – A substance that is firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid; water in solid form is ice.
                            • States of Matter – The forms in which matter can exist: solid, liquid, and gas 

                             

                            • Transpiration – The passage of water vapor from a living body into the atmosphere; plants transpire through their leaves; people transpire through sweat.

                           

                          Arts Vocabulary

                            • Act – To pretend; to play a role

                             

                            • Collaboration – Working together, teamwork

                             

                            • Pantomime – Pretending to hold, use or touch something that you are not really holding, using, or touching; a form of silent theatre

                            Tableau – A frozen picture created by actors (plural: Tableaux)

                           

                           

                          Materials

                          • 10 sets of photos of the four stages in the water cycle (Condensation, Evaporation, Precipitation, Collection). These should each have two holes punched in top corners and a string through them so that students can wear each photo around their neck to allow their hands and body to move freely.  The photos should have Velcro to attach the words below.
                          • 10 sets of paper strips with the following words: Condensation, Evaporation, Precipitation, Rain, Snow, Sleet, Hail, Groundwater, Transpiration, Vapor, Clouds. Each strip should have Velcro on the back so that they can be attached to the pictures above.

                          Index cards with the conservation methods written on them. One method for each card.

                           

                          Instructional Design

                          Opening/Activating Strategy

                          WATER CYCLE MOVEMENTS

                          • Have students stand up in place.  Teach and lead them through movement sequences for four stages of the water cycle, coordinated with articulating the words.  Describe what each movement signifies:
                            • Evaporation – 

                          “E” – arms out like a body of water circled in front of belly (water)

                          “vap” – fingers intertwined and rolling like a body of water (liquid)

                          “or” – palms flat out like the sun’s rays (sun)

                          “a” - fingers wiggles up in front of face (vapors) 

                          “tion” – fingers wiggle up above head to disappear (gas)

                          • Condensation  – 

                          “Con” – wiggly fingers above head (gas)

                          “den” – shiver and hands above heads shake (cold)

                          “sa” – hands wave fluidly above head (water)

                          “tion” – hands grasp together above head (cloud) 

                          • Precipitation –

                          “Pre” – arms circled above head like a cloud

                          “ci” – wiggles fingers down like rain in front of face (rain)

                          “pi” – hands blink open, closed like snowflakes (snow)

                          “ta” – punch right fist down (sleet)

                          “tion” – punch left fist down then left fist (hail) 

                          • Collection – 

                          “Col” – arms rounded out in front (lake)

                          “lec” – hands out like waves (ocean)

                          “tion” – hands moving down low (groundwater)

                           

                           

                          Work Session

                              • ACTIVATING THE WATER CYCLE
                                • Introduce the concept of tableau – a frozen picture created by actors.  Explain that the class will be creating tableaux of the water cycle.
                                • Invite four students to the front of the class.  Work with the students, with suggestions from the rest of the class, to create a tableau that portrays the water cycle.  
                                  • Remind the class that the water cycle is not linear, so the students should not be standing in a line. 
                                  • Remind them that there is no proper beginning or end – it’s a continuous cycle.
                                  • Encourage the students to be creative in determining how they can use their bodies to convey the cyclical nature of the processes.  As appropriate to the class rules and culture, allow students to take positions up on chairs or down on the floor.
                                • Have students wear the photo that correlates with their part of the cycle.
                                • Ask other students to come up and velcro the appropriate vocabulary word to the appropriate part of the cycle where it belongs.
                                • Activate the cycle by having students adopt movements – heads, hands, arms, legs, full bodies – that convey what is happening in their part of the water cycle, and add in any appropriate sounds. Remind students of the motions they used at the beginning of class.

                                 

                                GROUP TABLEAUX

                                • Divide the class into groups of four.  Have each group create and then activate their own tableau of the water cycle.  Encourage them to find different ways, from what was modeled for the class, to position themselves and move for their parts of the water cycle, and to interact with others in their group as well.
                                • Give each group the photo visuals and ask each person to wear one part of the cycle.  Then have them attach the appropriate vocabulary to their part.
                                • Have groups show their cycles to the rest of the class.
                                • Reflect on the different interpretations of the different groups, and how each conveyed concepts about the water cycle.

                                 

                                WATER CONSERVATION

                                • Ask the class: “Do you think that we will have water forever?”  Explain: “Water does keep cycling but we can misuse and overuse water and some places are in danger of drought.”
                                • Remind students that, “Water is one of our most important resources.”  Ask students: 
                                  • “Why is it so important?  What do we use water for?  Is it important to other organisms as well?”  
                                  • Be sure to discuss that we use water to produce and prepare food, clean our bodies, wash our dishes and clothes, process our waste, and manufacture and transport goods; we use it for recreation, and to produce hydroelectric power.  
                                  • As individuals, we use large amounts of water:  it is estimated that the average American uses around 180 gallons of water a day.
                                • Discuss Conservation – the responsible and judicious use of a resource in a way that avoids waste.
                                • Introduce and discuss the following list of water conservation practices: 
                                1. Avoid watering the lawn or garden between 10 am and 6 pm.
                                2. Take shorter showers.
                                3. Wash the car over the lawn instead of the driveway.
                                4. Turn off the water when brushing teeth. 
                                5. Use wastewater from cooking to water plants.
                                6. Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when full.
                                7. Keep water in the refrigerator for cold water.
                                8. Fix leaky faucets and hoses.
                                9. Do not use the toilet as a garbage can.

                                Brainstorm other ideas that the students might have.  Put those on additional cards.

                                 

                                WATER CONSERVATION PANTOMIMES

                                • Introduce Pantomime - pretending to hold, use or touch something that you are not really holding, using, or touching; a form of silent theatre.
                                • Model and practice a simple pantomime activity (e.g., sweeping the floor, eating a sandwich, swinging a baseball bat, etc.).  
                                  • Encourage students to think about the size, weight and shape of the objects in their pantomimes; to be specific with their movements; and to include facial expressions.
                                • Have students come up one at a time, or in small groups, and pick a card with a water conservation practice on it.  
                                  • Have the individual or small group pantomime the action on their card. They should not speak during the pantomimes.
                                • Have other students guess which water conservation practice they are showing.  After guessing, have the class describe the specific aspects of the pantomime that conveyed the water conservation practice.

                               

                               

                              Closing Reflection

                              • Review the words and movements for the parts of the water cycle.
                              • Review the drama strategies used – Movement, Tableau, and Pantomime.
                              • Ask students to reflect on how their thinking about water and the water cycle has changed through the lesson.
                              • Ask students to discuss steps they might take in their lives to use water responsibly.

                               

                               

                              Assessments

                              Formative

                              Teacher will assess understanding of the water cycle and methods of water conservation through the opening activity, class discussion, and observation.

                                 

                                Summative

                                • CHECKLIST: 
                                  • Students can accurately identify the key components of the water cycle and match vocabulary words with steps of the water cycle.
                                  • Students can work together cooperatively to create tableaux.
                                  • Students can use their bodies expressively, and create tableaus with a variety of angles, shapes, levels, and facial expressions.
                                  • Students can pantomime water conservation practices silently and with detailed movements and facial expressions

                                   

                                  • Have students draw a diagram of the water cycle, with each part labeled accurately.
                                  • Have students draw a picture, using stick figures in particular poses, to portray their group’s water cycle tableau.
                                  • Have students write a paragraph about their own water use and how they plan to incorporate water conservation practices into their daily lives.

                                 

                                Differentiation

                                 

                                Acceleration: 

                                • Rather than using predetermined movements for the activator, have students collectively come up with the movements for each syllable.
                                • When adding movement to the tableaux, have students speak a sentence as their part of the water cycle (e.g., “I am precipitation – I love raining down on the mountains and plains, and on cities and towns and making everyone have indoor recess!”)

                                 

                                Remediation: 

                                • Encourage groups to come up with alternate ideas for the water cycle tableaux, but allow them to replicate what was done in the model tableau.
                                • Rather than have students guess each other’s pantomimes, work together as a class to develop a short pantomime sequence for each water conservation practice card.

                                 

                                 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

                                 

                                *This integrated lesson provides differentiated ideas and activities for educators that are aligned to a sampling of standards. Standards referenced at the time of publishing may differ based on each state’s adoption of new standards.

                                 

                                Ideas contributed by:  Barry Stewart Mann and Susie Spear Purcell

                                 

                                Revised and copyright:  January 2024 @ ArtsNOW