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 Tips
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.
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.
Standards
National Core Arts Standards
Visual Arts: Standard 7 - Perceive and analyze artistic work.
VA:Re7.2.IIa Evaluate the effectiveness of an image or images to influence ideas, feelings, and behaviors of specific audiences.
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.
VA:Re8.1.Ia Interpret an artwork or collection of works, supported by relevant and sufficient evidence found in the work and its various contexts.
VA:Re8.1.5a Interpret art by analyzing characteristics of form and structure, contextual information, subject matter, visual elements, and use of media to identify ideas and mood conveyed.
