Art Lesson: Endangered Species Art Exhibit
Lesson Plan
1 hour 40 minutesGrades9, 10, 11, 12Visual 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 Diandra Jones
About this lesson
In this lesson, students analyze artwork by a Hawai’i-born climate artist and create art that inspires the protection of a Hawaiian endangered species.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students explore the power of art to inspire climate action by analyzing the work of Hula, a Hawai’i-born artist.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students learn the importance of Hawai'i’s unparalleled biodiversity, choose a Hawaiian endangered species, and discover the forces endangering it, including climate change.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students plan and create artwork that inspires the protection of their chosen species and collaborate to create a class exhibit of their work.
Preview the lesson plan
Better on a bigger screen? Open it in its own tab.View Lesson Plan
Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Positives
- This lesson aligns with Hawaii's Nā Hopena A'o HĀ-BREATH Framework.
- This lesson can be taught in conjunction with a science lesson on the connection between biodiversity and climate change or a social studies lesson on the legal tools being used to protect Hawai'i’s biodiversity.
- Students have the opportunity to engage in the underutilized medium of art to address climate change by evoking emotion in hopes of inspiring action.
- Students learn about endangered species native to their homes and become better informed about their own environment.
- Students are granted creative freedom and can use their own artistic skills to represent an issue of importance.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should have a basic understanding of climate change.
- Students should be familiar with basic principles of design such as balance, emphasis, and proportion.
- Students need access to environmentally friendly materials to create their artwork. Note: Students can use recycled or found objects, such as materials from nature or items found during a campus or beach clean-up.
- Students need access to the Internet to view the articles, artworks, and videos independently.
Differentiation
- Teachers can modify this lesson to include instruction on the use of particular materials, such as chalk, or techniques, such as the use of color or creating portraits.
- Students can learn about specific strategies to protect biodiversity around the world by reading one or more of the articles below and incorporating the ideas into their artwork and artist’s statement. Strategies include the following:
- Assign legal rights to the natural world.
- Recognize the rights and traditional ecological knowledge of Indigenous Peoples.
- Alternatively, students can read Federal Bill Introduced to Protect Hawai'i From Invasive Species and create an artwork that reflects these legal efforts and gives voice to the natural world.
From the scientist review
This lesson allows students to create artwork that would inspire action to restore biodiversity and endangered species in Hawai'i. Art is increasingly being used as a powerful instrument to promote systemic change and save the environment. When individuals view climate-related artwork in a gallery or during an exhibition, it creates emotions or feelings that will not only alter their habits, cultures, and perspectives on climate change but will motivate them to proffer the needed climate solutions in their communities. After carefully going through each instructional material, the lesson passed our science review.
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
About the teacher writer
Diandra Jones
Teacher
Diandra Jones is an educator, interdisciplinary artist, and author with 23 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and English Literature from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts from Columbia College Chicago. Since beginning her teaching career in 2003, Diandra has taught Dance, English, Visual and Performing Arts, and Physical Education to students in grades 6–12 and adult learners across the United States, West Africa, and the Caribbean. She is also the author of Irma Was Here, inspired by her experience surviving the eye of Hurricane Irma in the British Virgin Islands in 2017. Through her work as an educator, artist, and writer, Diandra empowers learners of all ages to explore creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling across disciplines.
