Introduction and Rationale for the Plan Across the Arts Areas
The Great Adventure, An Artistic Journey!
This lesson is all about how a child might interpret a natural phenomenon (great migration journeys of the animal kingdom) through various art forms. Lesson plan is for level 5 where the students are in a level that are equipped with the science and Arts curriculum areas that are necessary to understand and deliver the expected learning outcomes.
It is important that students are familiar with the biological and earth & space sciences that are relevant to understand the reasons for these amazing natural event to occur.
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Plants and animals have basic needs, including air, water, food and shelter; the places where they live meet those needs VC2S2U02
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Habitats can be described by their physical conditions; changing the physical conditions of a habitat, including by human activity, may affect the growth and survival of organisms.VC2S6U01
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Daily and seasonal changes in the weather and the environment can be observed and affect decisions made in everyday life.VC2S2U07
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Weather events and climate have impacts on the land, air, water and living things; human activity can affect climate.VC2S4U08
As cross curriculum priorities, understanding and enquiring why animals move to stay alive, children will gather basic understandings of animal migration patterns, triggers, and survival strategies, the science behind seasonal movement in wildlife, navigation and adaptation in migratory species and global migration routes and their ecological advantages.
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Aligning with the Arts learning strands by engaging students in exploring and responding to artworks that represent animal migration, enable them to reflect on the idea. Students develop practices and skills using visual arts techniques and then apply this knowledge in creating and making their own artworks for presenting and performing their understanding of animal migration in creative and meaningful ways.
(The Arts | v9 Australian Curriculum, 2017)
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Animals are nature’s artists. They dance, they sing, they perform mating rituals, they build and they create- all for the sake of survival. The science and underlying natural processes connected with animal migration are obvious for a child to grasp. And the inquisitive nature of this age level is excellent in uncovering interesting information regarding the amazing behaviours of these animals. The colours, sounds and vast patterns of movements associated are endless for students identify and represent.
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Research shows that early environmental education increases empathy for animals and pro-environmental behaviour later in life. Migration provides ample opportunity to discuss life skills like resilience, persistence, and teamwork. As children investigate the animal journey through various harsh weather conditions, the struggle animals face to keep specially the young ones away from predators, and the unbelievably long distance the routes are stretched over, kids can compare their own hardships and learn lessons. (Guest contributor- ALSC Blog)
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Integrating art into cross curricular subject matter enhances the holistic learning approach. The interconnected understanding of a concept allows creativity, engagement and meaningful learning experiences. This improves memory as children remember concepts better when they express them creatively. (The Integration of Art Education across Different Subject Areas for a Holistic Approach to Learning, 2023)
The lesson will take place in a classroom and for dance activities outdoor or performing arts/media building areas can be used by individuals and/or groups. By successful completion of this lesson students will learn how they can combine dance, Music and visual arts to present a concept to an audience.
