ArtStream Critterology

ArtStream: Missouri Critterology

Students began with a research project involving a selected list of native Missouri animals. They had classroom lessons on the food chain and the influence of stressors such as water pollution. They wrote reports covering both basic facts and how polluted runoff may affect their selected animal.

Working with the artist in residence, the students learned basics of scientific illustration and completed illustrations of their animals using a model or live animal at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Nature Center.

The final project involved students using their drawings to create a food web. Students first selected and made a mural depicting an environment suitable for their animals as a group. Then each student added his/her researched animal drawing and connected it with the other plants and animals that it needed to survive.

Adding animals to the habitat mural	Making the connections in the food web

School: West Plains Elementary, West Plains MO
Lead teacher: Cindy Rasor
Collaborating teachers: Kathy Barr, Tracy Waggoner, Kathy Grigsby, Jodi Ruch, Kathy Davis,  Brandy  Montgomery
Artist: Pat Hight
Timeline: Began February 2006, ended May 2006

Grade level: 4
Number of students: 120
Subject areas: Communication Arts, Science, Social Studies