Eco-Collage Art Lesson Plan
In this interdisciplinary lesson, students in grades 3-5 will delve into the environmental impact of plastic pollution, particularly focusing on its effects on sea turtles and marine ecosystems. The objective is for students to create eco- collages using recycled materials, which will visually represent the journey of plastic waste from daily use to its detrimental presence in the ocean. This lesson aims to foster environmental awareness and responsibility while integrating art with science to deepen students’ understanding of human impacts on marine life and inspire creative expression of conservation messages.
Materials
Recycled plastics (bottles, bags, wrappers)
Other recyclable materials (colored paper, fabric scraps)
Glue, scissors, markers
Cardboard or large paper sheets for the base
Digital camera or smart phones for documenting work (optional)
Activities
The lesson begins with a discussion about plastic pollution and its specific impacts on marine ecosystems and sea turtles. Students then engage in a planning session where they sketch their collage ideas, considering how different materials can symbolically represent various environmental themes. Following this, students prepare their materials by cleaning and cutting plastics and other items to fit their artistic vision.
The creation of the collages involves assembling materials on their bases, with students encouraged to express the environmental messages they’ve learned. A class critique follows where each student presents their collage, explaining the environmental significance behind their artistic choices. This is supplemented by a reflective writing activity where students articulate what they learned about plastic pollution and its prevention.
Standards
Creating
Students generate and conceptualize artistic ideas by designing collages that represent the environmental impact of plastics.
Presenting
They interpret and share their artwork, explaining the environmental messages
depicted through their choices.
Responding
Students evaluate and interpret the artworks of their peers, enhancing their understanding of art as a communication tool.
Connecting
The project connects art-making with environmental science, enabling students to relate artistic ideas to societal and ecological contexts.
3-5-ETS1-2 (Engineering Design)
Students compare multiple solutions to reduce plastic pollution.
5-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity)
Students understand the relationship between human activity and environmental health.
4-PS3-4 (Energy)
Students discuss how energy from the sun contributes to the breakdown of plastics into microplastics.
Conclusion & Assessment
Grade 3
Focus on the basic environmental concepts such as the lifecycle of plastics and their impact on sea turtles. Enhance the lesson by having students participate in a local clean-up event, applying what they’ve learned about preventing plastic pollution.
Grade 4
Concentrate on the scientific explanations behind the accumulation and breakdown of plastics in the ocean. Assess students on their ability to connect their artistic choices to these scientific concepts. Consider extending the project by having students research and create a presentation on innovative global solutions to plastic pollution.
Grade 5
Dive deeper into the systemic impacts of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems. Assess students based on their ability to articulate complex interactions depicted in their artwork and the effectiveness of proposed solutions. Enhancements could include a collaborative project to design a school-wide recycling campaign based on their findings.