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Art Unit Plan: Portraits

Grades 9-12

In this unit, students discuss and learn how artists address climate change through art. Students learn various art techniques then create portraits of youth climate heroes.

Lesson 2 - Art Lesson: Research Youth Climate Heroes

Visual Performing Arts

Essential Questions

  • How do young people use art to take action on climate change?
  • How can research on climate change activism be the foundation for artmaking?

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Describe how young people around the world use art to take action on climate change.
  • Summarize the work of one youth climate leader through words and images.
  • Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of youth climate leaders.
  • Use research on climate change activism to begin to formulate an idea for an art project.

Inquire: Students think about how young people are responding to the climate crisis.

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Investigate: Students use the Padlet to select and read about three youth climate leaders.

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Inspire: Students design slides to summarize the work of the activists and reflect on the artists’ impact, then sketch an idea for their portrait.

Primary Standards:

1.5.12 prof.Cn11b

1.5.12 acc.Cn10a

1.5.12adv.Cn11b

Supporting Standards: New Jersey

6.1.12.GeoHE.13.a.

9.4.12.IML.5.

Lesson 1 - Art Lesson: Can Art Change Society?

Visual Performing Arts

Essential Questions

  • How are artists able to impact change through making art?
  • What is the role of art in addressing climate change?

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Describe how artists can impact change through artmaking.
  • Explain ways that art can be used to address climate change.
  • Express a personal response to an artist’s work about climate change.

Inquire: Students discuss how art and artists change society and the role of art in addressing climate change impacts.

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Investigate: Students learn about six artists addressing climate change through their art.

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Inspire: Students reflect and write about how art and artists can change society, specifically how art can be used to raise awareness about climate change.

Primary Standards:

1.5.12adv.Cn11a

1.5.12acc.Cn11b

1.5.12adv.Cn11b

Supporting Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.4

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Lesson 3 - Art Lesson: Youth Climate Hero Portraits

Visual Performing Arts

Essential Questions

  • How can art amplify the work of youth climate leaders?
  • How can my portrait of a youth climate leader inspire others to take action?
  • What artistic choices can I make to communicate my message?

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Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Identify and evaluate existing examples of youth climate leader portraits.
  • Create a portrait of a youth climate “hero” who is making a difference, using art media of their choice.
  • Use portraiture skills to create an impactful artwork about a youth climate leader.
  • Create a display of their artwork to educate and influence others in their school and local community to take action.

Inquire: Teacher reviews examples of youth climate leader portraits and discusses their impact.

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Investigate: Students research reference images and practice using proportions, composition, colors, and art media.

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Inspire: Students create their final “Climate Hero” portrait and create a display.

Primary Standards:

1.5.12acc.Cn10a.; 1.5.12 prof.Cn11b; 1.5.12accCn11b; 1.5.12adv.Cn11b.;1.5.12adv.Cr1a.; 1.5.12acc.Cr2a.; 1.5.12acc.Cr1b.; 1.5.12acc.Cr3a.; 1.5.12adv.Pr6a.; 1.5.12acc.Re7b.