SubjectToClimate
In this lesson, students investigate the effectiveness of visual art in addressing climate change.
Step 1 - Inquire: Teacher asks students to think about the ways that art about climate change impacts audiences differently from factual information. What ways can visual art specifically be used to address climate change?
Step 2 - Investigate: Students simulate organizing an art show around the issue of climate change, with some students representing artists and others representing museum curators. Students will research to prepare for their roles.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students who researched an artist will present their work. Students who developed the criteria will evaluate their work.
Positives
Students learn that art can be used to address issues that are usually just discussed in scientific terms.
Students learn about a variety of artists whose work deals with climate change.
Students can begin to visualize ways that they might make art about climate change, which can serve as a subsequent lesson.
This lesson is interactive and simulates a real-world situation in the art world, requiring a variety of skills.
Additional Prerequisites
This lesson can be paired with or follow a more in-depth discussion of climate change science.
Students should know how to use Google Slides or a similar type of presentation format.
Students should have a basic familiarity with rubrics.
Differentiation
Teachers can provide instruction multimodally.
Teachers can preview vocabulary with ESL students.
Teachers can follow up with questions to ensure comprehension.
Teachers can pair students with helpful peers.
It can be beneficial for developing students’ interpersonal skills if groups were randomized.
Simply put, not everyone is swayed by a scientific expert. Often it takes other means to convey a message to someone. That is why is an integral part of climate change communication. Art, scientifically, has a different impact on our thoughts and decision-making than hearing a lecture from an expert. This lesson explores different climate change art projects and shows their potential to reach audiences. This lesson has passed the scientific review process.
This lesson is aligned to New Jersey standards. Review the aligned standards directly in the lesson plan document and teacher slideshow.
Discover more on the New Jersey Climate Education Hub.