Ephemeral Art
Learning Area:
English(Years 1, 2), Visual Arts(Year 1/2)
Relevant Content Descriptions:
Year 1: AC9E1LA08 AC9E1LE01 AC9E1LY02
Year 2: AC9E2LA08 AC9E2LE01 AC9E2LY06
Year 1/2: AC9AVA2E02 AC9AVA2D01 AC9AVA2C01
Learning Outcome:
Create artwork using natural materials.
Learning Areas:
Art, Maths
Prompt Text:
The Art in Country (2020) and /or The Art in Animals (2021), Dr Bronwyn Bancroft
Resources:
Students will each need around 1m2 of space to work in. Ideally, this activity should be completed outside in a sandpit or on grass, in a low traffic area of the school. However, if no suitable space is available, students can work inside on their own table or on a sheet of poster paper.
Leading up to the activity, students will need to have access to an area of bushland or similar, to collect leaves, sticks, and other objects such as small stones. If this is not possible, they can complete the artwork using other methods such as finger painting or playdough.
Noongar Vocabulary:
Boya: Rock
Djet: Flower
Bilara: Leaf (fallen)
Boornoo: Stick
Baloongar: Sand
Ngower: Feathers
Kwobardak: Beautiful
Wariny: Making
Learning Sequence:
1. Begin the activity in a yarning circle by reading and looking at the pictures in the prompt texts. In particular, discuss the shapes and patterns used in the illustrations, such as dots, circles, and flowing, curving lines like snakes.
2. Discuss with students that they will be creating their own artwork today using (insert materials) to make patterns or objects such as animals or trees. Show some examples of what they might make: Nature Art and discuss how their work might be quite big, or it could be tiny and detailed.
3. Set boundaries around the area they are to use, then encourage students to find a space to work in. They may like to use existing objects such as tree stumps or rocks as part of their artwork. Some may like to draw in the sand, while others may arrange their objects on the grass. Depending on the surrounding gardens etc., you may need to set other rules, such as only using what’s on the ground, and ensuring they respect each other’s space.
4. To avoid upset, let the students know that you will be taking photos of their artwork to keep, but that their creation is just for today.
5. Allow students time to play with and arrange their collected objects. Once students are happy, take photos of their creations to display. Invite another class or the principal to do a gallery walk to view the creations. Once finished, students can collect up their objects or return them to where they found them. Remind them that the rocks and leaves are homes for the insects, and that the birds need the sticks for their nests, so we can’t keep them.