Art Lesson: Animal Habitat Diorama
Lesson Plan
45 minutesGrades2Visual and Performing Arts
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Written by Jessica Jozak, Sustainable Jersey for Schools
About this lesson
Students look at different habitats, create a diorama, and write an artistic reflection.
Inquire: Students identify different habitats of New Jersey.
Investigate: Students look at images of habitats to help them determine what features to include in their 3D model.
Inspire: Students reflect on how the animals in their habitat might be affected by the changing climate.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught in conjunction with a unit on biomes alongside other core subjects.
- This lesson can be used to reinforce the skills of diorama-making.
- When students are looking at images of their animal’s habitat, it is helpful to have color images. Students can also bring in images of their habitat before the lesson, or use classroom computers to look at images up close.
- Discussions on the changing climate may bring up anxiety for some students. Consider using resources from the Climate Anxiety: SEL Resource for Teachers including a template to inform caregivers of the topics in the unit and sentence frames for discussions.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 2 of 3 in our 2nd grade Art Unit: Animals and Climate Change.
- Students will need to bring in a shoe box or other small box prior to this lesson.
- Teacher should print materials from the Teacher Document and Student Document prior to the lesson.
- In order to create the dioramas, students will need a variety of craft materials and recyclables, such as magazines, toilet paper rolls, popsicle sticks, construction paper, scissors, and glue.
- Students should have a basic understanding of a habitat.
- Teachers should review the biomes found in New Jersey.
Differentiation
- Students can be challenged to research their chosen habitat further using online resources or books from the library.
- Students having difficulty adding 3D elements to their diorama can work in a small group and share strategies with each other.
- Guiding questions are provided in the Student Document to help support students as they write their artistic reflections.
From the scientist review
Students can learn how to make a three-dimensional diorama to illustrate how New Jersey's wildlife habitats are affected by climate change. We verified the lesson's content and it passed our scientific legitimacy process.
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About the teacher writers
Jessica Jozak
Jessica Jozak is an elementary educator with 4 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in iSTEM from The College of New Jersey. Jessica holds a K–6 Elementary Teaching Certificate and serves as a Green Team Leader.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future.
