Guide Entry to 25.01.05
Humans evolved to see more shades of the color green than any other color. Have you noticed that mosses resiliently remain many shades of green throughout the winter season in Connecticut? What if you used a foldscope which is a paper portable microscope to look even closer. And what if like the growth of moss you looked for a long time would you begin to notice differences in the mosses color, texture and smell? In this three-week visual arts unit 8th grade students will create artworks inspired by moss biology. Students will learn about the adaptive strategies of mosses which allow them to be resilient to environmental stressors. Students will also learn how the sensitivity of mosses makes them indicators of climate change. Metaphors from the Enlightenment, the game of chess and Oscar the Grouch will be used to discuss strategic adaptations. Students will look closely at moss and experiment with a wide variety of art materials to visually represent moss in writing, collage, with pencil, marker ink and watercolors, cyanotype printing and photography in artist commonplace books.
(Developed for Visual Arts, grade 8, recommended for Visual Arts and Science, grade 8)
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