This is a watercolor and colored pencil piece by scientist and artist Jill Pelto made with paper, magazines, and natural materials such as leaves.
Through this painting, students can learn about the importance of living sustainably and about the emotional impacts of destroying nature.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Students use their creative skills to interpret this painting.
They are also encouraged to be inspired by the natural cycles of nature and to embrace sustainable living.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with the following concepts: recycling, natural resources conservation, and sustainability.
Differentiation
An ELA teacher could present this drawing to students and ask them to write about their interpretation, feelings evoked, and what they can learn from the piece.
This image could be used as an exit ticket for a science lesson on recycling or sustainability. The teacher could ask students to connect what they learned in the lesson to the artwork.
The teacher could task students with creating their own artwork using recycled materials.
Students could brainstorm ways they can live more sustainably in their everyday life. Students can further explore this by reading this article on sustainable lifestyles or watching this video on reducing their carbon footprint.
Scientist Notes
Students can explore this painting to gain more insights on the need for sustainability. Natural resources conservation is imperative for students to build their skills. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Visual and Performing Arts
Visual Arts: Standard C1 - Perceive and analyze artistic work.
D.C1.9-12acc.b Evaluate the effectiveness of an image to influence ideas, feelings, and behaviors of various audiences.
Visual Arts: Standard C2 - Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
D.C2.5 Interpret art by referring to contextual information and analyzing subject matter, characteristics of form, and use of media.
D.C2.6-8adv Analyze how the interaction of subject matter, characteristics of form and structure, use of media, artmaking approaches, and relevant contextual information contributes to understanding messages or ideas and mood conveyed.
D.C2.9-12prof Construct interpretations of artwork, supported by relevant and sufficient evidence found both in the work and in various contexts.
D.C2.9-12adv Analyze differing interpretations of an artwork or collection of works in order to select and defend a plausible critical analysis.
