Public Art Lesson: Analysis and Impact
Lesson Plan
2 hours 40 minutesGrades9, 10English Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Kara Hisatake
About this lesson
In this lesson, students learn about Hawai‘i specific climate change through visual analysis of public art and create a walking tour in their local community.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students learn about the impact of climate change in Hawai‘i and explore artwork about climate change.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students visit and analyze local public art that tells the story of environmental impacts in Hawai‘i.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students design a local walking tour that includes public art, climate change impacts, and solutions.
Preview the lesson plan
Better on a bigger screen? Open it in its own tab.View Lesson Plan
Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Positives
- This lesson aligns with Hawai'i's Nā Hopena A'o HĀ-BREATH Framework.
- Students explore their neighborhood and the world around them by going outside.
- Students express choice and voice in identifying artwork and solutions.
- Students are exposed to a range of ways to respond creatively to the climate crisis.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should have some familiarity with climate change but can also watch this refresher on climate change and solutions.
- Students need devices and access to the Internet to research climate change and view the artworks in the virtual galleries.
- In order to take the in-person class field trip, it may be necessary to arrange transportation and permission from the school.
Differentiation
- This lesson can be paired with SubjectToClimate’s Climate Heroes unit.
- Art teachers can combine this lesson with the study of the mural "A Hui Hou."
- This lesson can be spread out over several days, with the Investigate and Inspire sections each taking one or two days.
- The lesson can be shortened by focusing only on virtual tours in the Investigate section.
- There are many places to take a class on a field trip.
- On O‘ahu:
- Kaimukī utility boxes and wall art
- Kaka'ako murals
- Hawaii Kai - Kalanianaole Highway Mural
- Kalihi & Palama Hawai'i Walls 2023
- On Maui:
- On Hawai’i Island:
- Other possible murals include Vanishing Murals
- On O‘ahu:
From the scientist review
Students will learn ways to use art to illustrate the effects of climate change in Hawai'i in this lesson. One of the best ways to explain climate science and to deal with extreme climatic conditions like sea level rise, unpredictable and heavy rains, greater temperatures, etc. in Hawai'i, is through art. We fact-checked the instructional materials, and this lesson passed our examination of the science.
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
About the teacher writer
Kara Hisatake
Teacher
Kara Hisatake holds a PhD in Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She has more than six years of experience teaching high school English Language Arts for grades 9–12. Her expertise is in literature and English language arts education.
