Ecology, environmental science, and art
Students will research an endangered species from a specific biome, create an informational sign, and paint a piece of art work representing the animal. Specifically, students will paint an old, unwanted piece of furniture to represent their endangered species and its habitat. They will also create an informational sign about the species that explains why the animal is endangered and why it needs to be protected. The “revived” furniture will be auctioned off and the proceeds donated to charity.
6 - 8
| Day | Topic/Activity | Key Concepts |
| 1 | Introduce the project and have students choose their biome. Detailed description of the activities in the unit |
Biomes, endangered species |
| 2 | Note-taking activity (how to take good notes, review bibliography format). Show examples of informational signs. Students begin to choose an endangered species from their biome |
Endangered species, habitat, predators, prey, adaptations |
| 3 | Library research: Taking notes and finding a color picture of an endangered species |
Endangered species, habitat, predators, prey, adaptations |
| 4 | Writing informational signs. Show some examples |
|
| 5 | Finish the informational signs and bibliography. Mount the finished sign on construction paper and send it to be laminated (optional) |
|
| 6 | Begin working on the furniture. Preparation work: sanding and primer coat |
|
| 7 | Bring in the art teacher as a guest speaker. Have the teacher talk about common painting techniques and how to use a color wheel |
|
| 8 | Student planning. What's the vision for the furniture? Students draw a plan. Go over daily cleanup routine. Begin painting the background color |
|
| 9 | Finish painting background color. Start adding background details |
|
| 10 | Draw your endangered species on the furniture using pencil, or trace a picture using carbon paper |
|
| 11 | Begin painting the endangered species |
|
| 12 | Paint endangered species |
|
| 13 | Add final details |
|
| 14 | Finish painting and adding final details |
|
| 15 | Clear coat all of thefurniture. Students fill out rubric for the project and give an overall evaluation |
|
| 16 | Attach signs to the finished furniture. Students present their sign and furniture to the class. Put the furniture on display for auction |
|
