Renee Shortt

Sustainability & Ecosystems: Exploring interconnectivity through paper weaving

Grade: 1st

National Visual Arts Standards:

VA:Cr1.2.PKa- Use observation and investigation in preparation for making a

work of art.
VA:Cr2.1.1a- Explore uses of materials and tools to create works of art or
design.
VA:Pr5.1.1a- Ask and answer questions such as where, when, why, and how
artwork should be prepared for presentation or preservation.
VA:Re.7.1.1a- Select and describe works of art that illustrate daily life
experiences of ones self and others.
VA:Cn11.1.1a- Understand that people from different places and times have
made art for a variety of reasons.

Showme Visual Arts Standards:

The vocabulary to explain perceptions about and evaluations of works in

dance, music, theater and visual arts.
Interrelationships of visual and performing arts and the relationships of the
arts to other disciplines.
Goal 2:
-4. present perceptions and ideas regarding works of the arts, humanities and
sciences
-5. perform or produce works in the fine and practical arts

GLEs:

Strand I Product/Performance 1A: Fill an area with solid color/value using

crayon, pencil, or marker.
Strand I Product/Performance 2A: Use glue with control Fold paper and
identify folded edge.
Strand II Elements and Principles 1B: Identify and use triangle, circle, square,
rectangle and oval shapes Categorize shapes as small, medium, and large.
Strand II Elements and Principles 1G: Identify and demonstrate the use of
space.
Strand II Elements and Principles 2D: Identify and create an alternating
pattern (abab)
Strand III Artistic Perceptions 2A: Identify the following in artworks: Lines,
Shapes, Colors, Patterns.

Goals and Rationale:

The students will think critically about sustainability.

The students will understand the interconnectivity of all ecosystems on earth.

The students will learn about paper weaving.

Enduring Big Idea:

Through paper weaving, we will explore sustainability and create a visual

representation that shows the interconnectivity of all life on earth.

Essential Questions:

What is sustainability?
What are ecosystems?
How is all life on earth, no matter how big or small, near or far, connected?

Key Concepts:

Students will know how to weave paper.

Students will know what sustainability means.
Students will know how all ecosystems on earth rely on one another.

Objectives:

Through the paper weaving process, students will see how all ecosystems on
earth are connected.
Students will understand the interconnectivity of ecosystems by listening to
and discussing the song, Fruit Bat Ecology.
Students will have a basic understanding of paper weaving.
Through our discussions, students will possess a basic understating of what
sustainability is.

Vocabulary:

Sustainability:
-Living within our limits
-Understanding the interconnections among economies, society, and the
environment
-Distributing resources and opportunities equally.
Ecosystem: An ecosystem includes all of the living things (plants, animals and
organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their
non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere).

Lesson Vignette:

The lesson will begin with me inviting the children to sit on the carpet while I
introduce the theme of ecosystems, sustainability, and the interdependence
of all life on earth. We will then watch a short video featuring a song based on
this theme. (4 minutes)
We will have a brief discussion on the information presented in the video and
what they think the song means. ( 2 minutes)
Next, we will have a discussion regarding the essential questions. (2-3
minutes)

I will then present the vocabulary, which should clear up any confusion
regarding the essential questions. Once I have explained the vocabulary, I will
pose the questions, why is it important for us to lead a sustainable lifestyle?
How do you think we effect all other life on Earth? This brief discussion will
act as formative assessment and measure their understanding of the
vocabulary, I will explain further if needed. (4 minutes)
To end the PowerPoint presentation I will reiterate how all lifeforms rely on
one another, which is why it is important for us to lead a sustainable lifestyle.
( 1 minute)
Next, I will demo the project. Using paper, we will weave together various
ecosystems to show their interdependence. Prior to the lesson, I will have cut
strips of paper into 2X7 pieces. Each student will need 5 of these strips for
their project. We will begin by drawing Earth on a 7X11 piece of construction
paper, which I will then fold in half (hamburger style) and cut four evenly
placed slits, making sure I am about an inch from the edge of the paper. Next,
using the 2X7 strips, I will draw the various ecosystems (forest, desert,
ocean, urban, rainforest etc.) Once I have drawn my ecosystems I will weave
them into the piece of construction paper containing the slits. Once I have all
5 of my ecosystems woven into the paper I will glue down the two end pieces
to ensure they stay in place. (8-10 minutes)
The remainder of class will be dedicated to the students working on their
projects. (20 minutes)
Cleanup ( 4 minutes)

Assessment:

The discussions throughout this lesson will act as formative assessment, to

ensure the students understand the concepts and vocabulary needed to
successfully complete this lesson.
Successful completion of the project and depicting various ecosystem
accurately (correct foliage and animal life for said ecosystem) will be
summative assessment for how well the lesson was received.

Adaptations:

For students who finish early, ask them to make a drawing of an ecosystem
they are most interested in.
For students with special needs, supply more appropriate and
accommodating materials.

Materials:

PowerPoint of essential questions, vocabulary, video

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZdKvGWsi3Y ), and photos of various
ecosystems.
Glue sticks
Construction paper

Crayons

Teacher Reflection:

The success of this lesson will be measured through the engagement of the
students in the discussions, their understanding of the key concepts and
vocabulary, and also their completion of the project containing distinct and
varying ecosystems.

Rubric: Sustainability and Ecosystems in Paper Weaving

Lesson
Objectives
Formal Elements

Basic
understanding
of sustainability
and ecosystems

Followed
Directions

Participation

Stayed on Task

Needs Work

Good : )

WOW!

Multiple mistakes
in weaving, the
ends are not glued
into place, and
there is no clear
pattern in the
weave.
Did not draw a
variety of
ecosystems and
plants and animals
are not
appropriate for all
environments.
You were
disruptive during
instruction and
were very
distractible for
most of the class.
Listen closely next
time!

Paper is woven
with minimal
mistakes- you
have achieved a
basic
understanding of
paper weaving.
Multiple
ecosystems are
created. Some of
the plants and
animals shown are
correct. Could use
more variety.
You listened to
instruction for
most of the class
and only needed
to be corrected
once or twice.

Talking and
questions were not
related to the
lesson/ refused to
take part in the
activity.

Most of your
questions and
comments directly
pertained to the
activity and you
actively partook in
the project.

Paper is woven
correctly and all
ends are glued
down neat and
tidy- you know
how to weave
paper like a pro!
A variety of
plausible
ecosystems are
included. Plant and
animal life drawn
are right for the
ecosystem.
You carefully
listened the entire
time, raised your
hand when you
had a question,
and behaved like a
learner- I never
had to correct you!
Nice Job!
You were actively
engaged in the
project the whole
time. All of your
comments and
questions were
relevant and
helpful to learning.
Way to go!
You used your
class time
appropriately and
finished your
project in a timely
manner.

You were asked

You used class
many times to
time appropriately
finish the project.
for the most part.
You distracted
You rarely needed
others from the
correction to finish
project and were
the project.
not able to finish
yours on time.
Name:___________________________________________
Date:_________________

Score:_______