This mural, located in Boston and created by Nneka Jones from Trinidad and Tobago, depicts a colorful image with many potential interpretations that focuses on social and environmental justice.
Students can explore the mural, read a description from the artist, view the mural on a map, and read about action steps they can take.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The mural depicted in this resource is a gorgeous representation of intersectional environmentalism from an artist named Nneka Jones.
Students will learn about the artist's ideas and execution, the mural's themes and imagery, and the important topic of intersectional environmentalism.
Additional Prerequisites
If students are unfamiliar with the term "intersectional," they would benefit from understanding it prior to viewing the mural and reading the artist statement.
Differentiation
Connections can be made in science and social studies classes learning about how environmentalism and social justice are connected, or in art classes studying murals and different medias.
Show students the mural without any information from the artist first and have them share what they think this mural is about. Slowly start pointing out different facets of the mural to lead the conversation to the topic the artist identified in her statement.
Have students brainstorm their own mural and sketch it out, either on the theme of intersectional environmentalism or on another topic they are passionate about.
As an extension, prompt older students to choose an action step from the list to employ in their own community.
Scientist Notes
This website presents a mural on a wall in Boston to bring awareness about environmental justice to the community. The mural program is designed to educate and raise public awareness of critical environmental issues through art. This resource would be a great addition to a classroom discussing ocean pollution, conservation, and climate change. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Informational Text (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
National Core Arts Standards
Visual Arts: Standard 8 - Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
VA:Re8.1.8a Interpret art by analyzing how the interaction of subject matter, characteristics of form and structure, use of media, art-making approaches, and relevant contextual information contributes to understanding messages or ideas and mood conveyed.
Visual Arts: Standard 11 - Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
VA:Cn11.1.8a Distinguish different ways art is used to represent, establish, reinforce, and reflect group identity.
VA:Cn11.1.IIa Compare uses of art in a variety of societal, cultural, and historical contexts and make connections to uses of art in contemporary and local contexts.
