Exploring the Science of Water in Art: Water Cycle Lesson Plans
Water cycle lesson plans provide an opportunity for teachers to collaborate, and students to discuss this important resource.
By Alison Panik
Water has played a significant role in the life and culture of this planet. In science lessons students learn about the water cycle and how all living things depend on water for survival. In history activities students learn that many civilizations based their settlements and economies on the available water resources. In geography classes students explore bodies of water, both large and small. Water also plays a significant role in many world religions, in literature, and in art.
Because water provides such an open theme with connections in so many areas of study, water cycle lessons can easily be integrated into topics children are studying in the regular classroom. For example, while students may be reading about flooding in a study of current events, they might also experiment with the movement of water and create a monoprint reflecting what they see in art class.
But water provides more than just a common thread linking the regular classroom with the art classroom. Water provides students with unique ways to express themselves using art materials. Watercolor techniques are just one example of the impact of water on art. What follows are some lesson plans that connect the study of water with art.
Water Cycle Lesson Plans:
Exploring Water Movement Through Monoprinting
In this lesson students experiment with water, analyze the way it moves, and discuss its reflective characteristics when its in motion. Add to this a walk to a local stream, pond, or river, and you’ll have a well-rounded, relevant lesson for older elementary classes.
Explore ponds in your local community, in books from your school library, and in artwork to provide background. This lesson provides unique watercolor techniques for students to use to show what they have learned about pond and pond life.
This upper elementary art project investigating waterfalls includes step-by-step instructions for students to follow on their own to create a 3-D model of a waterfall. In addition to researching waterfalls, classes can take a field trip to visit a local waterfall if possible.
Splish, Splash, I Was Takin’ a Bath
Share this lesson on the causes of water pollution with upper elementary classroom teachers. Excellent science correlation for art studies of water.
Invite students to explore underwater with sea turtles! Expand this lesson by coordinating with a local wildlife expert or science or regular classroom teacher to support students in learning about turtles native to local waterways. Compare sea turtles with pond and river turtles. Investigate what adaptations are unique to each kind of turtle.