Educators: Donald Murray, Gabrielle Bergin & Wesley Yendrys
Age of children: 8 years old (Gr. 3)
Number of children: 12-24
Space/Location: Classroom (preferably a studio or art class)
Duration of Activity: 90 minutes+
RATIONAL
To introduce vocabulary of the visual arts, water cycle, fish and marine life and to practice skills associated with MEQ competencies, such as motor development, by making an aquarium out of paper plates and art supplies.
OBJECTIVES
This lesson will:
Raise awareness about environmental issues (Hydrological cycle).
Bring children to learn about different types of fish & marine ecosystems by applying their prior knowledge to construct their own aquarium.
Encourage students to think about and question the relationships between humans and the aquatic ecosystems.
Explore the significance of fish in different cultures and religions.
Materials Needed:
Non-glossy paper/cardboard plates (2 per child)
Hole punchers (single hole)
Saran Wrap (40cm2/aquarium)
Glue sticks
Scissors
Color Medium: pastel, wax crayons, pencil crayons, markers, paint, etc.
Construction paper (different sizes) and/or foam and/or white drawing paper.
1’’ Brass platted fasteners (4/child)
Optional Materials:
Hot glue gun
Colored sand
Seashells
Dental floss
An IPad or Computer
Magazines (National Geographic, fishing magazines, wildlife magazines etc.)
An encyclopedia about fish and marine life
Pictures of different kinds of fish
DEVELOPMENTAL OBJECTIVES:
Cognitive:
Children will listen to instructions and show that they have understood them when questioned about them. (C1)
During the activity, children will use their prior knowledge about the concepts surrounding the flora and fauna of aquatic ecosystems to create a one-of-a-kind paper plate aquarium. (C2)
Language & Literacy:
The activity will encourage students to acquire a wide array of vocabulary referring to the visual arts and nature. (L1)
Physical Development:
Students will practice fine motor skills by using different tools such as glue guns, technologies (Ipad), scissors and hole punchers.(P1)
Social/Emotional:
Students will take the time to explore what other peers are creating by walking around the classroom and observing one another.(S1)
Students will give each other and receive feedback about the work they have created. (S2)
They will socialize amongst each other in order to exchange ideas. (S3)
Cultural development:
Throughout the activity process, students will learn about different cultures and what symbols fish represent in them. (CD1)
MEQ Competencies
For children, this activity will foster:
Individuality (MEQ1): by creating their own aquarium and representing themselves through their art.
Media works (MEQ2): by organizing the space, learning visual literacy and using different mediums (Tech, books, materials).
Art Appreciation (MEQ3): by talking about other students’ work, observing and interpreting other artists’ work.
Visual Language (MEQ4): by learning vocabulary words pertaining to the elements of design.
Cultural Mediators (MEQ5): by making connections between cultures and subjects and learning different styles and elements from past and present art movements during the activity.
Reference Points (MEQ6): by connecting the activity to past experiences and understanding different cultural movements associated with the activity.
Creation (MEQ7): by using different art medium to express their understanding of the topic.
History of Visual Arts (MEQ8): by discussing previously mentioned artists and art movement
Throughout the activity, teachers will be able to:
Adapt Activities (MEQ9): by making slight changes to the procedure to meet the needs of every student.
Work Collaboratively (MEQ10): by revisiting the work of the students in other classes (since the activity encompasses elements from many subjects) and know what their interests are and what they still need help with.
Make Cross-Curricular
