Connect with nature by creating art using natural elements
Grade Level: K-6
Learning Objective:
- Connect to the natural world through the creation of collaborative art
During this activity students will:
- Explore the schoolyard, finding various natural loose parts such as pebbles, fallen leaves, small sticks
- Create collaborative ethereal art with the help of plants and natural elements found on the schoolyard
Instructions
- Talk about art and how it can be inspired by any different things, like people, places, objects or events. Discuss how nature as something that has inspired many artists.
- Explain that you are going to not only be inspired by nature, but also work together with nature to make your own art.
- Head outside and invite students to gather natural items found on the ground such as pebbles, fallen leaves, sticks. Give students time, alone or in groups, to create art using the elements they have found. You can give prompts for inspiration.
- When everyone is done with their art, walk around and stop at each piece. Each person can share their artwork and thank nature for helping, for example:
- “Thank you, pebbles, for giving me a nice outline.”
- “Thank you, leaves, for the bright colors.”
- “Thank you, dandelions, for the cool contrast.”
Take pictures of the work and discuss how sometimes we forget to thank the natural world for all it gives us. Afterwards, ask the students to return the elements to where they came from.