Art
Nature is our best teacher
Nature has inspired the greatest artistic and scientific efforts in human history and can help contextualize what is learned in a lesson. Expression through art is a way to share inspiration from what we experience or observe in the natural world. As the saying goes, all art is but an imitation of nature.
Use what you have
There are some incredible art supplies all around us- sometimes it just takes a little bit of extra creativity, something most kids have an abundance of! Maybe you'd like to experiment with using tall, dead grass to make birds' nests and flower crowns, or even glance and sketch out your window to observe that goofy seagull standing on a fence near you.
Art Activities Using/Inspired by Nature
Design a Bird
Sharing Inspiration
This craft is amazing for solidifying a lesson on different avian adaptations. Make sure the students think about what the bird eats, where it lives and whether or not it has colour plumage to attract a mate etc. Bird identification starts with the beaks, feet, feathers, and body shape which is why we focus on those body parts during this craft. Works best with students between 6 and 12.
Printable designs to cut out and design:
How to Draw a Bird
Focus Attention
Drawing a bird is much more accessible when you do it in steps! Anyone can do this activity, but it works best for ages six and up.
Build a Bug
Sharing Inspiration
This is a very hands-on, immersive art activity that solidifies using the learning language to describe insect body parts. Students can pick a bug they have seen, or invent their own, and build a model of that insect using materials like wooden skewers, styrofoam balls (for the head, thorax, and abdomen), pipe cleaners (for legs and antennae), and whatever other materials you have on hand!
Infinity Frog Lifecycle Craft
Sharing Inspiration
This activity, while being complex, produces a super cool craft that drives home the life cycle of a frog. In our experience, children love the outcome and are excited to take it home. This works best for students 8 and above. In a classroom size group, it is helpful to have a projector with video explanation playing, and one or two helpers to keep the activity running smoothly.
Plant Press
Direct Experience/Sharing Inspiration
Children love this activity. They enjoy finding plants or leaves that intrigue them and enjoy the anticipation of opening the press to see if their work has paid off. Younger children can turn their pressed plants into art while older students can turn the pressings into beautiful scientific collections.
Animal Masks
Sharing Inspiration
Animal masks are a simple craft that allows children to imagine that they are a different animal. They are also fun to use in different games afterwards. We do this activity with children aged 6-8 and it works especially well after a hike, during which the children have collected materials. Good materials include dried leaves, birch bark, lichens - especially old man’s beard and small dry twigs.