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Jacques Cousteau and Jane Goodall Art Projects

Literature Inspired Art Projects with scientists Jane Goodall and Jacques Cousteau

Sometimes books take me away to that creative place where I just want to break out the tissue paper and pastels and get busy making art. The illustrations in Dan Yaccarino’s book, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau
were that inspiring and that beautiful that they were the launching point for a collection of art lessons based on scientists and explorers. Soon I was browsing through book stores looking for the perfect biographies of scientists and explorers. I discovered Jeanette Winter’s story about Jane Goodall, The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps.  It tells Jane’s story from the time she was a curious child to her adventures in Africa.

A Google search on Jacques Cousteau and Jane Goodall revealed very little in the way of art lessons. I discovered a few activities such as crossword puzzles or word searches, but few real art lessons. The trick is, I think, is to use the subject of a scientist’s exploration as the art lesson and not necessarily a lesson on the actual person.

COLLAGE ART

CHALK-ART

My favorite lessons are the ones that use of many art supplies. Collage projects encourage creativity and it’s rare to see two projects exactly alike. Both of the lessons in this download are collage-type lessons that use pretty basic supplies: paper, paint, oil and chalk pastels. There is always a moment during a collage-based art lesson when the children are hard at work creating their little masterpieces. They love to cut and place and paste and re-paste. They love to copy their friends, invent something new and start again. It’s a wonderful process to watch.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

When I created these lessons, I about how great these projects would be for a summertime art camps. Children love taking their time with art projects (well, most of them!) carefully selecting which papers they would use for their leaves or which ones they would use for their under sea world. My students have less time to indulge in slow consideration and are often under time constraints.

Perhaps as summer rolls in, and you have the opportunity to work with your own children or your students, you can allow a bit more time for creative art-making.

Here is a preview of the lesson. I really love this one and I hope you do, too!

A preview of DSS"s Cousteau & Goodall art lessons


FIND THESE LESSONS IN THE ART & LITERATURE BUNDLE INSIDE THE SPARKLERS’ CLUB. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST AND BE NOTIFIED OF OUR NEXT ENROLLMENT.

What do you think?

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  • Paula

    Are you familiar with the environmental artist, Wyland? His first gallery is in Laguna Beach, California. He is famous for painting his “Whaling Walls” around the world and holds the world record for painting the largest mural “Planet Earth” on the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California. He has a studio on PBS and loves children. Visit his website and store for educational materials for children. Teaching is the most noble of professions.

    • Patty Palmer

      No, I’m not but I’ll check him out. Sounds very interesting!

  • Allana

    Hi
    Our year 3 students are researching scientists so I am interested in purchasing this lesson. Can you please tell me how long the lesson is for and if it can be done just with the Jane Goodall focus?
    Thanks!

    Allana

    • Patty Palmer

      Hi Allana,
      The download has two lessons: Cousteau and Goodall. You can do both lessons or just one. They are completely separate. The Goodall lesson took my second grade students about two 45-minute classes.If you have a small group, count on 60-90 minutes.

  • thamina

    Hi,

    I would like to use these lessons with my second graders but the link is not working.

    • Bethany

      Hi! These lessons are only available inside The Sparklers’ Club Membership. The Sparklers’ Club is an affordable and flexible pay as you go monthly membership—perfect for anyone who teaches art to students aged K-7. To join the Sparklers’ Club waitlist and learn more about The Sparklers’ Club click here: https://deepspacesparkle.lpages.co/the-sparklers-club-waitlist/

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