Meld science, social studies, language arts, and art into one colorful, undersea-themed project using our Layered Coral Reef art lesson.
Coral reefs are an engaging way to bring learning to life. Hosting a plethora of colorful plants and animals in an unbelievably beautiful, Seuss-like habitat, coral reefs are always a student favorite. Once students have completed their unit on coral reefs and the plants and animals that live in them, it’s time to research and locate the largest reefs on a world map or globe. Easily incorporate writing into this lesson via poetry or essays about the reefs and their unusual inhabitants. And finally, it’s time for art!
Students create their own 3-D, layered coral reef art featuring the plants and animals they’ve studied! Materials needed include a box, mirror-board, sheets of acrylic, and markers. Students first sketch the various elements of the coral reef they’d like to include, then trace them onto the acrylic sheets and fill them with the vibrant colors of the reef. Space out the sheets inside the box to give the reef the illusion of depth. The mirrored back provides a rippled, underwater-like reflection. The outside of the box can be decorated with paints or markers or with student-created, reef-themed poetry and writing.
Follow the link above for the complete Layered Coral Reef art lesson plan, including images, step-by-step directions, and a materials list. Suitable for Grades 4-12.
Have you incorporated underwater sea life into your lessons? Tell us in the comments!
