Art

Teaching climate across the curriculum art resources include K-12 lessons focused on topics such as fine art, music, theater, and dance. The following are examples of art-aligned lessons organized by grade level, and you can find our full collection here.

Elementary Example Lesson

Bird's Eye View Lesson Plan 

Air Quality Flag Program, Environmental Protection Agency

https://cleanet.org/resources/58906.html

Description: In this activity, students construct flying birds (pollution collectors) from paper and wire hangers. Students hang up their birds to see how they react to air pollution and compare and make observations about the differences in the birds.

Instructional Time: Two 50-minute class periods

Grade Level: Second through eighth 

Middle School Example Lesson

Earth Artistically Balanced

Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association

https://cleanet.org/resources/57937.html

Description: Students first learn about the complexities of Earth's climate system and the different factors contributing to Earth's energy balance. Then, students categorize the factors that influence climate as warming or cooling factors. Finally, students design art pieces to depict the science behind Earth's climate system and share these artistic creations with families and communities. 

Instructional Time: One 90-minute class period

Grade Level: Sixth through twelfth 

High School Example Lesson

Shine - Mini climate change musical

Beth Osnes, Shira Dickler, Inside the Greenhouse

https://cleanet.org/resources/56028.html

Description: This learning activity is a climate change musical for K-12, youth groups or faith organizations. Shine weaves together climate science and performance art into a fun and powerful story, which spans 300 million years of geological time to convey how humanity, energy, and climate are interrelated. 

Instructional Time: The duration of this learning activity depends on whether teachers choose to do the entire activity or choose specific modules to implement.

Grade Level: Kindergarten through twelfth