Art_integrated+Lesson+Ideas

The following are examples of the lesson plans that are included in this environmental art curriculum:
== o drawing trees for each season, which records the life spiral of a trees growth during the year, and the different functions of trees as homes and habitats for birds, insects, and other animals, etc. == == o pollution posters and posters to celebrate Earth Day, which teaches how to live a sustainable lifestyle, trying to correct air, water, and land pollution, by working on the 3R’s (reduce, recycle, reuse) == ==The following is a series of examples of art-integrated lessons that are ideas of how to begin to present an art-integrated curriculum that infuses traditional Aboriginal teachings and values along with contemporary environmental issues and concerns. This set of lessons uses trees as a symbol of the life cycle from birth, through growth, to maturity, death, and fertilization of new growth. Each lesson is a metaphor of the following 3 R’s of the circle of life: recycling to restore a sustainable lifestyle, rejuvenating Aboriginal youth to honor their past, and replenishing Aboriginal values and beliefs. The curricular goal is to develop creative and critical thinking skills while educating individuals about their lifestyle choices. They will use these skills to become environmentally friendly and live a sustainable life that is in harmony with nature, while leaving no ecological footprint on their trail.== ==This curriculum model is circular and spiral in form. Knowledge is at the center as the precious mineral to be given. The tree symbolizes the plants, with a strong trunk at the center with deep-rooted foundation and branches reaching out for the nutrients to sustain life. The animals have the ability to live in harmony with their natural environment, which is being threatened and endangering their very existence. The humans as themselves are abusing the environment, producing an imbalance in nature, which is throwing the wheel out of balance, causing a lack of harmony and respect. My art-integrated curriculum uses a spiral framework that includes the landscape of the whole community and all of its members, with students at the nucleus. A healthy well-balanced curriculum is like the medicine wheel. The knowledge passed from Aboriginal elders will help individuals to see and understand the difference between right and wrong information and ideas; the truth is sometimes difficult to realize and perceive. The winds of time have changed traditional perspectives, and new creative solutions must restore harmony and balance to our way of life. The teachings of the sacred tree tell us that people devote their life energies according to their values. We need to have balance between how we value ourselves and how we value others; otherwise, we will not reach our potential as human beings. The health of individuals and the communities they live in depends on this balancing of values. Individuals need to honor the truth and the creator, and learn to treat the earth and fellow human beings with respect. Human beings will help others to help themselves, by sharing knowledge and understanding for the common good works and mutual benefit for mankind and the natural environment.== ==The animals and their way of life are being threatened with the imbalances that are happening in nature. Their habitats are being destroyed and taken over by human greed and misuse in the quest for raw materials for manufacturing. The animals’ traditional hunting and fishing grounds have been altered, and this has changed the way of life that used to be in harmony with nature. The natural balance seems to have been neglected and is being destroyed.==