"Moments of Observation"
Provided by: Jill Pelto Gallery|Published on: April 27, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Artwork
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Jill Pelto Gallery
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 →

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 →
Synopsis
- This resource is a watercolor painting depicting the observation of a glacier landscape. It reflects graphical lines that denote where the glacier used to extend only several decades ago.
- The figures in the painting are portrayed taking the time to look and to reflect. Each of them may be noticing a different change in the glacier, but they are all taking in its retreat.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The painting is simple and easy to appreciate and interpret.
- This resource is ideal for sparking creativity in students.
Additional Prerequisites
- This resource is best used to support lessons and teachers may need to be creative in how they integrate it into their teaching.
Differentiation
- The educator can sign the students up for a collaborative project with the artist Jill Pelto.
- This could be used as an example for a project where students are inspired by climate change data as the basis of their artwork.
- Students can be challenged to represent other climate change risks they identify in their community in the form of art.
- Other works by Jill Pelto include "Landscape of Change", "Decline in Glacier Mass Balance", and "Take a Lesson From Nature".
The resource depicts glacier retreats and how new landforms are created during the glaciation process. Students can learn how to observe and study the process. This is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →




