Multi-Media Habitats is the perfect project for this time of the year. With animals migrating to their summer habitats, others coming out of hibernation, and some preparing for new life, there are endless habitats to choose from. You might live in Wisconsin where rabbits are building nests for their spring babies, or Colorado where bears are cleaning and leaving their winter dens, or on a lake in Minnesota where loons are returning for the summer and making nest for their new homes. The habitats being created or modified to accommodate the change in season are endless. Animals, like art students, are very resourceful and use all types of materials to create. I just came across a bird’s nest over the weekend that was made of plastic bags, twigs, leaves, and gum wrappers. It was amazing how all these cast-off pieces were woven into a useable nest.
With this lesson, you can use several different mediums to create the habitat you want to represent. We used some great Roylco Paper Mesh and Roylco Diffusing Paper in our original plan along with liquid watercolors, yarn, embroidery floss, and beads. Maybe you have yarn scraps, magazines, plastic bags, tissue paper, string, pipe cleaners, paper bags, bottle caps, cereal boxes, and things from nature i.e. leaves, twigs, long grasses, seashells, and stones.
Multi-Media Habitats Art Project Objectives
- Research and gain knowledge of animal habitats.
- Focus on elements and principles of design by creating layering and texturing within their environment.
- Build hand skills by cutting and sewing into the mesh.
Tips for Multi-Media Habitats
- Be creative and do not limit yourself to two-dimensional work. Use your found materials to build out a three-dimensional habitat.
- Make sure you do your research to create the most interesting habitat and surrounding environment.
- Have fun finding non-traditional materials to use in your artwork.
- Highlight important Elements and Principles of Design that students should keep in mind when planning their piece.
View the Lesson Plan: Multi-Media Habitats
More Habitat Art Lesson Plans & Ideas
Want to try something else? Be sure to check out these other art lesson plans and view our Art Lesson Plan collection for even more.
Share Your At-Home Students’ Artwork and Enter for a Chance to Win $250!
While we engage in at-home learning, we want to celebrate the wonderful pieces students have created! We are looking for all at-home student artists and giving them an opportunity to shine! Submit their artwork to be considered for our next featured at-home student artist and a chance to win a merchandise certificate worth $250 for the student and the teacher who inspired them. Original artwork from students of all grade levels is eligible and the online submission process is simple. Visit our Student Art page for details.
Mary Reilly
After 24 years as a college admissions director, Mary crossed over to provide the materials for art education as a member of Sax, first as manager of Inside Sales, then as National Sales Manager. Mary has overseen a team of 15 art consultants. In 2000 Mary and her team created Sax Lesson Plan Book partnerships with prominent art supplies vendors. Meanwhile, she has refined her own artful style of presentation at various national, state and local conferences.
Nadine Dresbach
For Nadine, art education has been her life’s work, including an Ohio teaching license, 5 years teaching elementary art, and 19 years in higher education (teacher prep). She has served Sax for 25 years as a Category Account Manager, Art Consultant, and Subject Matter Expert. In the latter capacity, Nadine has presented at various national, state, and local conferences.
