Teach Primary Science Using Art
Creative Expression Instead of Worksheets in the Science Classroom
Take advantage of children's love for art and science by combining the two in your life science lessons. Science art is an effective way to apply newly learned skills.
Life science lessons can be a favorite time of the day for both teachers and students alike if science art is invited into the primary classroom. Newly learned skills will be applied and reinforced much more effectively if children are engaged in meaningful science art activities, rather than simply completing lesson worksheets.
Just to get you started thinking about appropriate activities for your life science program, the following list of suggested activities and resources might be considered. Each of these activities is intended to reinforce direct teaching of science content. Direct teaching of the science content might first include use of a word ladder to teach science vocabulary, a concept map showing facts learned about the animals being studied, silent and oral reading, plus guided discussion questions.
- Reptiles to Touch ~ Show students a close up photo of a snake and discuss the scales on its body, and how it sometimes is the same color as its habitat for protection. Next, have each student cut a snake shape from construction paper, then apply glue and use different colored paper confetti to cover the shape. Allow time for drying, then display snakes on a classroom science bulletin board.
- Habitat Word Mobiles ~ Divide students into 4 groups and give each a stack of science trade books on different animal habitats - the ocean, desert, forest, and mountains. Have students write describing words for each land area on word strips and attach them to a clothes hanger. The mobiles can be shared by the groups, then the children can tell what animals might be best suited for each environment.
- Poison Dart Frog Art ~ After teaching about the warning coloration some animals have for protection, show pictures of the brightly colored Poison Dart Frogs. Give each of the students a frog outline, let them color their own frog with such coloring, then write one interesting fact about frogs on the back of the creature.
- Birds of a Feather ~ Following a discussion of the general characteristics of birds and listing five of the most common on the board, students be divided into pairs to create imaginary birds. The materials used will be colored feathers, which may be purchased by the bag in most craft stores, paper and glue. The birds must be named and must have the five characteristics discussed. At the conclusion of the class, students will introduce their birds to the class, then the teacher can hang the creations from the ceiling using large paperclips and fishing line.
By combining a bit of creative lesson planning, a few simple art materials, and the wonderfully imaginative art abilities of your students, you cannot help but foster learning and fun in your science classroom this year.
