Art In Antarctica
Learning Sequence 5
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Introduction with Gavin and Jordan
In this lesson, students will explore the unique characteristics of macaroni penguins through art and performance.
They will begin by watching a video with Jordan, learning about penguins’ movements and habitat. Key vocabulary will be introduced to reinforce understanding. Students will then analyse a quote to inspire their creativity, sketch an albatross, and craft macaroni penguin finger puppets. The lesson will conclude with a puppet show, allowing students to express their learning through storytelling and performance.
Hey everyone, are you ready for an exciting journey into the world of marine animals and inventions? This week, we’re exploring the Drake Passage with Jordan and me aboard the Greg Mortimer, a ship designed with the same sleek, streamlined shape as an orca to help it cut through the waves. Pretty cool, right?
Here’s where you come in: we’re going to learn how animals, like the orca and the giant squid, inspire some of the world’s greatest inventions. Your task is to choose a marine creature and design your own ocean craft based on how that animal moves through water. Whether it’s the giant squid’s jet propulsion or the orca’s sleek body, you’ll be using nature to fuel your creativity!
We’ll kick things off with some key vocabulary to help describe these amazing animals and their movements. After that, you’ll dive into the Quote of the Week from a famous inventor, using it to inspire your designs. Then, you’ll grab your pencils and sketch your own sea creature, just like we do with the albatross – this time, focusing on how these creatures move in water.
So, get ready to mix science with art, unleash your creativity, and bring your ideas to life! Let’s explore the incredible world of marine-inspired design together!
Your Weekly Keywords
In this activity, students will collaborate to define ten key vocabulary words related to macaroni penguins. Teachers will guide students to explain the words in their own terms, encouraging clear and simple language. Dictionaries will be avoided at first, allowing students to focus on discussion and problem-solving. After creating their definitions, students will share them with a partner to deepen their understanding, encourage thoughtful discussion, and refine their explanations while learning from one another.
Each week, students will receive a list of ten key vocabulary words related to macaroni penguins and their unique characteristics. These words will also connect to the art and nature projects they’ll create. Working with a partner, students will define the words using their own knowledge, without a dictionary.
Once complete, they will compare their definitions with another pair to see similarities or differences. This activity strengthens vocabulary, deepens understanding of the topic, and enhances learning.
Quote of the Week - George de Mestral
This activity presents students with weekly quotes from renowned inventors, such as George de Mestral, encouraging them to explore the meaning and context behind the words.
Teachers will guide discussions, helping students uncover the creative, scientific, and philosophical perspectives that inspired these inventors. Through these discussions, students will gain a deeper understanding of how nature-inspired innovation can drive creativity. Collecting and displaying the quotes will serve as ongoing motivation, fostering a deeper appreciation for how nature influences modern design and invention.
This week’s quote comes from George de Mestral, the inventor of Velcro, inspired by how burrs stick to animal fur. Your task is to carefully read the quote and discuss it, exploring what de Mestral was expressing through his observation of nature.
If the quote sparks your curiosity, you might want to research how nature has inspired other inventions and see how this can influence your own creative projects. You can also collect these quotes to display in your classroom, keeping the inspiration alive!
Sketch With Jordan – Drawing a Chinstrap Penguin
This week, students will embark on an artistic journey to capture the lively charm of a chinstrap penguin. With the help of a detailed task card and an instructional explainer video, this activity is designed to enhance their drawing skills through hands-on practice.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the world of art, nurturing their creativity and artistic growth in an exciting and engaging way.
This week, we’re taking on an exciting new challenge: drawing a lively chinstrap penguin! Check out the task card I’ve prepared for you, and don’t forget to watch the explainer video below. Once you’ve gathered all the tips and techniques, it’s your turn to bring this adorable penguin to life with your artistic skills.
Get ready to let your creativity soar and capture the playful energy of the chinstrap penguin!
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Sketch With Jordan – Full Video
In this activity, students will explore a video where Jordan demonstrates how to capture the lively characteristics of a chinstrap penguin using techniques like shading, texture, and movement. Teachers are encouraged to emphasise the importance of focus and active listening, guiding students to carefully observe and understand the artistic methods Jordan showcases.
This approach will help students replicate these techniques in their own work. The goal is for students to apply the skills they’ve learned, enhancing their artistic abilities through careful observation and hands-on practice.
This week, Jordan will guide you through the process of drawing a lively chinstrap penguin, demonstrating how to use shading, texture, and movement to capture the penguin’s unique characteristics. Pay close attention to the video as Jordan explains the techniques to bring this adorable penguin to life on paper.
After watching the full video, you’ll be ready to start your own sketch in the next activity. Take your time, enjoy the creative process, and let your artistic skills bring the chinstrap penguin’s playful energy to life!
Sketch With Jordan – It’s Your Turn
This activity encourages students to independently explore drawing techniques by sketching a chinstrap penguin, guided by the strategies Jordan has demonstrated. The task supports varied learning outcomes, allowing students to extend their skills by reinterpreting their sketches with paint or other colours.
This approach gradually increases complexity, catering to different skill levels and motivating students to push their creative boundaries. The artworks created can be added to their portfolios, documenting personal growth and achievements throughout the course.
After watching the full video, it’s time to pick up your pencils and try drawing the playful chinstrap penguin, just like Jordan demonstrated. Use the task card provided to create your own version of the penguin in action.
If you’re happy with your sketch, you can bring it to life with paint or other colours on a separate sheet of paper.
Remember, every piece of art you create can be added to your portfolio, showcasing your progress throughout this course!
Watch – Creating Your Animal-Inspired Watercraft with Jordan
This task invites students to draw inspiration from their lesson on animal-inspired design to create their own watercraft, promoting creativity and personal expression. Following the instructional guidance, students are encouraged to apply their unique interpretation of a marine animal’s movements and characteristics as they design their craft.
This hands-on project not only enhances artistic and design skills but also deepens students’ understanding of the natural world. It may even inspire them to present their watercraft or explain how their design mirrors the chosen animal’s efficiency, further enriching their educational experience.
At the start of our session this week, we explored how animals inspire innovative designs, just like the orca-inspired Greg Mortimer ship. Now, it’s your turn to bring this concept to life by creating your own watercraft based on the movement of a marine animal of your choice.
Watch the instructional video provided and follow Jordan’s step-by-step guidance. Once you’ve gathered all the tips, dive into designing and crafting your unique watercraft, using the styles and techniques Jordan shared.
Get creative with your design, and once your watercraft is complete, be ready to present and explain how it was inspired by the animal you chose!
Designing Your Nature-Inspired Underwater Creation
In this activity, students will design their own nature-inspired transportation, with two drawings indicating how their creation mirrors the efficiency and movement of the chosen creature. They will use recycled materials to build a small model of their design and present it to younger children.
This project encourages creativity, teamwork, and innovation while reinforcing key themes like problem-solving and inspiration in an engaging, hands-on way.
First, you’ll start by drawing the creature that inspired your transportation design. Then, using the task card provided, you’ll sketch the transportation device underneath, showing how it mimics the creature’s movement or characteristics.
If you wish, you can take it a step further by using recycled materials to bring your creation to life. Let your imagination flow as you design and build your unique transportation device, inspired by nature’s brilliance!
