Teaching Critical Thinking Strategies Teaching Critical Thinking Strategies in the Classroom through Aesthetic in the Classroom through Aesthetic

Experiences: Life Cycles of InsectsExperiences: Life Cycles of Insects

By: Jill SaverinskeBy: Jill Saverinske

ObjectivesObjectives

The students will:The students will: Observe and discuss pieces of artwork (showing Observe and discuss pieces of artwork (showing

life cycles of insects) from the slideshow I life cycles of insects) from the slideshow I created online.created online.

Use science and art vocabulary to describe the Use science and art vocabulary to describe the pieces of artwork.pieces of artwork.

Work together to search for insects outside and Work together to search for insects outside and take digital pictures of the insects.take digital pictures of the insects.

Create a life cycle of an insect using the Create a life cycle of an insect using the computer program Kidspiration.computer program Kidspiration.

Create their own insect using the given art Create their own insect using the given art supplies provided by me (using the artwork and supplies provided by me (using the artwork and digital pictures as a guide).digital pictures as a guide).

Day One- Viewing the art slide show from the Day One- Viewing the art slide show from the website:website:

http://www.artsconnected.org/resource/98818/life-cyleshttp://www.artsconnected.org/resource/98818/life-cyles

As we discussed the pieces of artwork, As we discussed the pieces of artwork, students brainstormed Science and Art students brainstormed Science and Art words.words.

Day Two- We went for an insect hunt outside and the Day Two- We went for an insect hunt outside and the class took digital pictures of insects that they found. We class took digital pictures of insects that they found. We also took a few pictures of the insects we have been also took a few pictures of the insects we have been observing in our room. observing in our room.

Day Three- Using the program Kidspiration, the students Day Three- Using the program Kidspiration, the students created life cycles of an insect and the diagrams needed created life cycles of an insect and the diagrams needed to include appropriate labels and pictures for the insect. to include appropriate labels and pictures for the insect.

An example of the life cycle diagram An example of the life cycle diagram created by a second grade student…..created by a second grade student…..

Day Four- The ending project: students created Day Four- The ending project: students created an adult insect out of clay. The insect needed an adult insect out of clay. The insect needed to have three body parts and six legs. to have three body parts and six legs.

The students used paint to finish off The students used paint to finish off their insects.their insects.

Finished Products…..Finished Products…..

Assessment Rubric that I designed to help Assessment Rubric that I designed to help determine if my students met the learning determine if my students met the learning goals of this project: goals of this project:

TOPIC- Life Cycles of Insects

Below Expectations 1

Basic 2

Excellent 3

Proficient 4

Total

Participated in class discussions

Created a complete life cycle (picture and words) using Kidspiration

Participated in taking pictures of insects

Created an adult insect using given art supplies for final project

Turned in all work on time

Final Thoughts…..Final Thoughts…..

I enjoyed this project with my students. It was I enjoyed this project with my students. It was very exciting seeing them so excited about the very exciting seeing them so excited about the science aspect of knowing the life cycles (in science aspect of knowing the life cycles (in particular to insects) and then incorporating art particular to insects) and then incorporating art into the lessons. I think showing the class the into the lessons. I think showing the class the slide show of art work helped tie it all together, slide show of art work helped tie it all together, with their final project of making their own piece with their final project of making their own piece of artwork (insect) out of clay. I feel lucky to of artwork (insect) out of clay. I feel lucky to teach at a school that is heavy into the fine arts teach at a school that is heavy into the fine arts and plan to continue to add the arts into my and plan to continue to add the arts into my curriculum. curriculum.