Symbiosis Unit

The Symbiosis Unit explores relationships found in nature, including human interactions. In this unit, students engage in careful observation in the galleries, go on nature walks, create scientific illustrations, research, and etch into clay in the studio using the ancient technique of sgraffito.

This unit is inspired by the work of students, educators, museum educators, and teaching artists in the Stories of the Land and Its People program.

Symbiotic sculptures created by 7th grade students in the Stories Program (2017) — *Symbiotic* sculptures created by 7th grade students in the *Stories* Program (2017)

Vocabulary:

Shape + Color
Size + Scale
Composition
Texture
Scientific Illustration
Sculpture
Positive + Negative Space
Sgraffito
Contrast
Foreground / Middle-ground / Background

Curricular Connections:

Scientific Illustration / Anatomy
Symbiosis (Positive / Negative / Neutral)
Environment / Conservation
Quantitative / Qualitative Research
Descriptive Writing / Informative Writing
Sensory Writing / Poetry
Organisms

Activity:

Notice: Notice positive and negative space in a work of art. How does the artist create dimension and texture? Can you determine a clear foreground, middle-ground, and background? Notice lines and shapes. Sketch in the galleries.

Create: Using a photograph or a drawing of a landscape or object, create a sketch using positive and negative space. Use ink to practice.

Create + Reflect: Using a scrap piece of clay with a painted surface, practice etching different shapes and textures into the clay. Try using different tools and experiment with your process. How can you recreate your positive/negative sketch into clay?

Andrew Jaspersohn, Fisherman, 2008, 2009.6.3 — Andrew Jaspersohn, *Fisherman*, 2008, 2009.6.3

Activity:

Create: Create your own scientific illustration journal. Use watercolor paper so that you may paint directly onto your journal as you learn. Card stock or a thicker weight paper for the cover will help provide a hard surface for documenting your work in the field.

Expedition: Bring your scientific illustration journal on a nature walk and document symbiotic relationships you notice in nature. Are there signs of disturbance? Observe your surroundings and take notes of your observations. Consider your senses as your write and sketch.

Curricular Connections: Using your observations as your guide, research the different types of symbiotic relationships you noticed in the field. Are they positive, negative, or neutral relationships? What are the human impacts on the ecosystem?

Create: Etch your symbiotic relationships into clay. Highlight the relationship of each with a color-coded system.

Stories seventh grade students examined symbiotic relationships in nature. Each disc is etched with a symbiotic relationship. The edges of the discs are painted different colors to highlight negative, positive and neutral relationships.

Interactive Film:

Create a sketchbook with teaching artist Tara Morin.

Share a photo of your art projects by emailing edassistant@farnsworthmuseum.org.

Stories of the Land and Its People

The Stories of the Land and Its People program encourages student participants to learn about people and places in their community. For more student project examples, visit our Student Exhibitions page.