Learning About Organism Traits Through Collage

Langston Hughes Academy, 3rd Grade
Science & Visual Art
Ms. Eliza & Mrs. Abourached

Mrs. Abourached’s students have been working to understand different organisms’ traits and characteristics. For the introduction of this lesson,  Mrs. Abourached reviewed humpback vs. orca whales and how they all have different characteristics and traits, although they are the same animal classification. We reviewed vocab using a classic tableau method. I then introduced the students to collage. We read the Hungry Hungry Caterpillar, an excellent example of a book made entirely from paper collage. 

Students were then divided into groups and assigned different organisms– a cockroach, a pelican, a palm tree, a squirrel, and a lizard. Each group was asked to identify the characteristics of their organism. I passed out drawn outlines of each organism and a variety of collage materials. We then took time to collage each organism’s traits. On the pelican drawing, students added black and white feathers using decorative black and white paper, ripping it to add a soft texture. On the palm tree drawing, one group cut out all the brown scenes in a magazine and added them to the truck of the tree to simulate bark. 

One of the biggest goals we are working towards in Mrs. Abourached’s class is to figure out how to get students to work collaboratively on art. Students can be very territorial over their pieces and think that their own work is ugly. I was impressed with some groups in this exercise, and other groups needed more reminders on how to work together. In the new year, we will continue working on collaborative projects to achieve this goal.