Wildlife Art - Interdisciplinary Studies

2nd grade read Eric Carle's, "The Greedy Python." They hypothesized the steps Eric Carle took to create his illustrations. Students then read about how discussed how invasive pythons are "greedy" in that they've eaten severe amounts of native wildlife in the Florida Everglades. Finally, they discussed how Eric Carle's art is interdisciplinary, making connections to biology and children's literature.

Next, students used the internet to research animals for their art making. Finally, they followed the steps they imagined Eric Carle practicing to create his greedy python:

1. Drawing and painting the animals textures and colors onto paper.

2. Drawing the animals body with pencil.

3. Cut out the animal's body.

4. Draw over pencil lines with oil pastel to define the face and features.

5. Drawing and painting the setting/habitat for the animal.

6 .Glue the animal into the setting.

This lesson was originally written to teach 2nd grade Colorado State 2020 Standards of Visual Arts:

This lesson also teaches the following standards for older age levels:

Fifth Grade, Standard 3. Invent and Discover to Create, Grade Level Expectation: 2. Apply an understanding of art processes and studio skills to create works of art and design. Evidence Outcomes/Students Can: a.Utilize traditional and contemporary media to effectively communicate intended meaning. c.Justify choices made during the artistic process that resulted in the finished work of art and design.

Fourth Grade, Standard 4. Relate and Connect to Transfer, Grade Level Expectation: 1. Investigate and discuss how diverse communities address issues relevant to their culture, place and times. Evidence Outcomes/Students Can: a. Identify and describe how visual art and design communicate meaning between any subject, discipline, event or issue.

Third Grade, Standard 4. Relate and Connect to Transfer, Grade Level Expectation: 1. Recognize how works of visual art and design communicate meaning both within a community and between diverse cultures. Evidence Outcome/Students Can a. Investigate how visual art and design can make connections between subjects, disciplines or events.