This lesson pulls on the ideals of STEAM curriculum.

 

In grades 3-5 “students are interested in learning content that has relevance to their lives and want to know more about real-world issues, including global concepts, and environment, and diversity” (Sickler-Voigt, 2020). Butterflies, caterpillars, seeds, and plants are common experiences in day-to-day life, and so is a child’s curiosity about their development in the natural world.

 

STEAM curriculum uses art as a way to enforce knowledge in other content areas. “The artistic processes of creating (presenting, performing and/or producing, responding, and connecting) are fundamental to student success across all domains. STEAM also increases learner empowerment, interest, and engagement; as well as a student’s ability to make connections and transfer knowledge” (University of Denver, 2022). Knowing that the students are learning about life cycles in their core subject of science, this unit will support students in applying that knowledge to their projects and moving to a higher level of thinking.