Catesby - ZOOM!

Procedure
Hook: In 1729 Mark Catesby publish the Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands.  This book illustrated the flora (plants) and fauna (animals) found in the new land. Drawing was used as a tool during that time for the study of nature.  Artists carefully studied the plants and animals and created drawings and paintings to help explain to people in Europe. Read the book ZOOM! Discuss the points of view.

Do 1: Activity: Nature Walk 
Students walk through nature observing and sketching what they see.  Focus on at least three items providing details and notes about the items measurements, or investigations to understand patterns and meanings.
Do 2: Activity: Tighten the lens
The students will draw a second picture of one item providing more details and/or data regarding the object. 
Do 2: Activity: Tighten the lens even more
The students will draw a third picture of the same item providing a close up or magnified view providing more details and/or data regarding the object.

Extension:
Ecology and ecosystems
The students will research where and how the nature item is part of the ecosystem where it is found.

Career Connections: Science Illustrators- Creating visuals for science displays, journals, and textbooks.

Engage
Demonstration: Observational illustrations
 As you sketch in nature it is important to observe what you really see.  Rely on your eyes. Relying on memory will provide an inaccurate image.

• What do you notice on the nature walk? (trees, plants, animals, insects?)
• In what direction does the object move or grow? (make notes and sketch what you see)
• What type of items are found near what you are drawing?  (vines, other plants, or animals.)
• Why?  (think about the ecosystem and the environment- make observational notes)

Demonstration:
Repeat by tightening the lens
Show students how to take a closer view of the object. Make notes and sketch what you see.  Rely on your eyes.
Consider the same questions above but in more detail for each “tightening of the lens.”  Show examples of photographs of objects from a distance, closer view then a magnified view. Discuss using elements of art such as color, texture, space and value to demonstrate the detail of the object.

Explore
1. Observe and Collect Data
Have the students take a nature walk recording data from their observations.  Allow them to choose one object to focus on for their final sketches.
Students will take notes on the objects explaining what their observations, measurements, or investigations to understand patterns and meanings.
2. Tighten the Lens
Allow the students to sketch a closer view, concentrating on what they see. 
Use color, texture, space and value.
Students will take notes on the objects explaining what their observations, measurements, or investigations to understand patterns and meanings.
3. Tighten the Lens More
Allow the students to sketch a closer view, concentrating on what they see. 
Use color, texture, space and value.
Students will take notes on the objects explaining what their observations, measurements, or investigations to understand patterns and meanings.
 
Elaborate 
Final Product
In the classroom allow students to use their observational notes and sketches to create a final work of art demonstrating all three views  (far, near, magnified)
 
Explain
Write an artist’s statement 
Students will write a paragraph describing their artwork and the observations they made.   

Evaluate
Complete a Self-Evaluation, Catesby/Elements of Art Quiz and project rubric.

Self-Evaluation for “Catesby Zoom!”
Student Name:___________________________________ Date: ______________________                                                           Student will complete a self-evaluation, answer the questions and write a full and complete artist statement about his/her project.                                                                                         

Student
Teacher
Criteria for Art Work-10 points

 
 
1 point- Sketches and Notes: Did you make preliminary sketches and take notes?

 
 
1 point – Care/Effort- Did you take your time and do your BEST work?

 
 
1 point – Composition & Design- Did you fill in each of the “lenses”?

 
 
1 points – follow directions- Did you “zoom” in on the object?  Are there clearly 3 different views of the same object?

 
 
2 points – Show Details- Did you increase the details of the image?

 
 
3 points- List three elements and principals of design did you used.
 
 

 
 
1 point – Botanical Illustrator?
 

 
 
1 point- What patterns can you identify?
 

 
 
1 point – What ecosystem do the objects in your painting belong?
 

 
 
1 point – Who is Marc Catesby?
 

 
 
1 point- What did Marc Catesby do to help advance South Carolina?
 

 
 
1 point- What was going on in South Carolina when Catesby painted these pictures?

 
 
5 points- Artist Statement

 
 
TOTAL (20 points possible)

Artist Statement: (5points)
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Teacher Comments: