Lesson Plan: Art Inspired by "The Lorax"

Teacher: [Teacher's Name]

Year Level: Year 5

Subject: Art

Duration: 120 Minutes

Number of Students: 26

Curriculum Context:

This lesson plan is designed to align with the New Zealand Curriculum The Arts for Year 5 students. The focus will be on the Visual Arts, where students will explore and develop practical knowledge in art-making and develop ideas in artworks, relating them to aspects of their own environment and the wider environmental issues as depicted in "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss.

Lesson Objectives:

• Students will understand the environmental themes in "The Lorax" and express them through visual art.
• Students will develop skills in using mixed media to create textured and visually engaging artworks.
• Students will discuss how art can convey messages about real-world issues.

Materials Needed:

• Copies of "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss
• A selection of recycled materials (paper, fabric scraps, plastic items)
• Basic art supplies (coloured pencils, markers, glue, scissors)
• Cardstock or heavy paper for the artwork base
• Examples of environmental art
• Digital devices for research (optional)

Lesson Outline:

Introduction (20 minutes)

1. Discussion:
   • Begin with a reading of selected excerpts from "The Lorax" focusing on the environmental themes. Discuss Dr. Seuss’s use of the Lorax character to speak for the trees and the effects of the Once-ler’s actions on the environment.
   • Introduce the idea of using art to express and communicate environmental issues.

Exploration (20 minutes)

2. Art Examples Show and Tell:
   • Show examples of environmental art and discuss how different artists convey messages about nature and environmental sustainability through their work.
   • Briefly discuss the various materials that can be used in creating artworks, highlighting the use of recycled materials.

Art Creation (60 minutes)

3. Artwork Planning and Creation:
   • Students brainstorm ideas for their own pieces of art that depict themes from "The Lorax". They should consider what message about the environment they want to convey.
   • Students sketch their ideas on paper.
   • Begin creating artworks using the materials provided. Encourage students to think creatively about the use of recycled materials to add texture and dimension to their art.

Conclusion (20 minutes)

4. Sharing and Reflecting:
   • Allow students to display their artworks around the classroom.
   • Conduct a walk-through gallery, where each student shares their artwork and discusses the message behind it.
   • Group reflection on how art can influence people’s thoughts and actions regarding environmental issues.

Assessment:

• Informal assessment through observation during the art-making process, focusing on creativity, understanding of the environmental message, and ability to use materials effectively.
• Peer feedback during the gallery walk-through.

Extension Activities:

• Students can write a reflection piece about how their artwork represents the themes of "The Lorax" and what they hope to convey to viewers.
• Create a digital gallery of the artworks to share with the school community or on a class blog.

Links and Resources:

• The New Zealand Curriculum – Visual Arts
• NZ Environmental Art (Note: Placeholder for actual URL)
• The Lorax – Book (for additional copies if needed)

This lesson plan is designed to utilise "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss not just as a literary experience but as a springboard for discussing and acting on environmental concerns through the medium of art, within the context of New Zealand’s Year 5 curriculum standards.