Writing & Art Lesson: Plastic Pollution
Lesson Plan
1 hourGrades3, 4, 5English Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts
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Written by Lindsey Pockl, Monica Lilley
About this lesson
In this lesson, students analyze photos and murals about plastic pollution and discuss the messages they convey. They critique artwork using guiding questions and write structured paragraphs explaining the artist’s message and offering their own creative suggestions.
Inquire: Students view images of plastic pollution around the world and share the message the photos convey.
Investigate: Students learn about art activists and use artwork critiquing question cards to view two art murals.
Inspire: Students evaluate artwork with a partner and then write a response identifying the artist’s message through the artwork.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- Any discussion question can be used as a writing prompt to practice writing skills and meet additional writing standards.
- Optional vocabulary cards are included at the end of the Teacher Slideshow.
- The writing activity in the Inspire section can be used for a writer’s workshop, extended or adjusted to support various student needs and skills development.
- Teachers can use their own pre-established writing rubric to assess student work.
- This lesson aligns with Australian art standards ACAVAR113 and ACAVAR117.
- Students are exposed to a variety of ways activists can use art to create awareness and apply cultural and political pressure to create change.
- The lesson can be taught in conjunction with a science class about pollution, the oceans, and the effects of human activities on ecosystems.
- This lesson can be taught in conjunction with an art class where students create a piece of art to communicate their own message about plastic pollution using specific art skills and mediums.
- Students may be curious about the best ways to recycle plastic. It is important to know that the global recycling system is broken and unjust. Students could watch this video to learn more.
Prerequisites
- Sea Wall Mural has 500 murals representing 19 countries. Teachers should preselect a country or region, or choose several pieces as student options for the Inspire section.
- Students should have a basic understanding of plastic pollution and know that it is a big problem worldwide.
- Partners or small groups can share a set of artwork critiquing question cards. Cards can be cut out before the lesson or shared with students digitally.
- Students may need to use the vocabulary cards at the end of the Teacher Slideshow to learn the terms critique and evaluate.
Differentiation
- Students can discuss additional art-focused questions listed in the speaker notes.
- Students can create their own “Plastic Culture” artwork using various mediums or materials.
- Students can use the Artwork Critiquing Question Cards like a card deck, by turning them face down and randomly selecting a given number to answer for each art piece.
- Writing requirements can be adjusted to match specific grade-level standards and skills.
- Students can create their own piece of art with a message on plastic pollution.
From the scientist review
The lesson characterizes plastic pollution around the world. It deploys the power of arts to change people's beliefs towards plastic consumption and improve their understanding on the impact of plastic pollution on the environment. The lesson is well-sourced and is suitable and recommended for teaching.
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About the teacher writers
Lindsey Pockl
Lindsey worked with SubjectToClimate to develop accompanying materials for lesson plans for grades 3-12.
