"Habitat Degradation: Deforestation"

• This watercolor by scientist and artist Jill Pelto uses data showing the decline of the rainforest and illustrates how habitat degradation is affecting forest species at risk of extinction. 
• The image helps students understand how human actions are affecting animals, such as the tiger, struggling to survive due to deforestation.

Positives

• Analyzing art gives students the opportunity to discuss their interpretations with their peers and to support their views by referring to specific elements.

• This resource raises awareness of the problem of deforestation and its impacts on species.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should be familiar with the concepts of biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, endangered species, extinction, and deforestation.

Differentiation

• In art class, students can analyze the use of color and balance.
• Science classes can use this resource as a hook for a research project on an endangered animal of their choice.
• Students can work in groups to brainstorm and research different solutions to stop deforestation and save wildlife.
• In an ELA lesson, the teacher can ask students to write a reflective paragraph about this artwork. 
• Students could also watch this video, which introduces students to the impact humans have on biodiversity. 
• Other works by Jill Pelto on habitat degradation include this piece on ocean acidification and this piece on Arctic melt.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.