Montalvo Arts Center / Teaching Artists in the Schools Residency / 4th grade, 10 session project, Schallenberger Elementary School, San Jose, CA, Fall 2016.

Today many marine species face different threats and it is mainly because of the consequences of human activities in the ocean. In this exercise students create an image representing an endangered marine species. First they create a background with a collage technique. Then they draw an endangered marine species. At the beginning of the session each student get a print of an endangered species and a short document explaining why that species is endangered. at the end of the session, depending on the time we have, the students can share with the group the reasons why the species they draw is endangered.

Session 1 – Background and drawing of the marine endangered species.

Introducing the exercise.

Tables ready with a light cardboard, tissue paper, glue and a brush, a sharpie and a pencil.

Showing one technique to glue the tissue paper on the board, and layering.

Layering the tissue paper.

Short demo about drawing a species with white pencilk on black paper.

Student drawing one of the endangered marine species.

Student presenting his drawing and reading about the threat the species faces.

Session 2 – Collage of the endangered marine species on the background – add the name with some special lettering.