One thing I’m proud of this year is teaching art-integrated lessons. It’s been fun for me and it’s been fun for my learners. You’ll see.
In this post, I will share three of my favorite middle school arts-integrated science lessons from the 22-23 school year. All lesson plans, slides and rubrics are links to make a copy in your google drive. Clicking the link *should* ask you if you want to open as a copy in google docs.
Plant Reproduction – Observational Drawing
This was my first official AI lesson and it went so great! It was also my first time with a co-teacher and I learned a lot from seeing another teacher do her thang.
Standards
Visual Arts: Cr.2.3.8.a: Select, organize, and design images and words to make visually clear and compelling presentations.
NGSS MS-LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms: Plants reproduce in a variety of ways, sometimes depending on animal behavior and specialized features for reproduction. (MS-LS1-4) Rubric
Resources
Additional Resources: Plant Reproduction Guided Notes
Punnett Square/ Ratios
I worried about the glue aspect of this activity, but with my arts integration co-teacher, it was only a problem in one class! There’s an opportunity to collaborate with Math to help students develop a deeper understanding of ratios.
Standards
Visual Arts: VA Re 8.1.8a: Interpret art by analyzing how the interaction of subject matter, characteristics of form and structure, use of media, artmaking approaches, and relevant contextual information contributes to understanding messages or ideas and mood conveyed.
NGSS: MS-LS3-1: Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.
Resources
Earth Day Poster Project
I always go big for Earth Day, and this year was no exception. Several students chose the digital option, and each one of them said it was to reduce waste. My teacher heart just about melted. I tied this into ELA as well.
Standards
Visual Arts: Cr2.E:6-8:2 Explain the environmental, social, and ethical implications of using various tools, materials, equipment, and images to create works of art and design. Rubric
NGSS: MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment. Rubric
Resources
Exit Ticket
Arts Integration is a great strategy for differentiating instruction. I hope you find these resources helpful and if you test any out, please let me know how it goes.