This document discusses ways to incorporate nature into K-12 art classrooms. It provides examples of collecting natural artifacts like insects, shells, and animal parts for students to observe and sketch. Scientific illustrators share how studying nature from a young age inspired their careers. Teachers are encouraged to take students outdoors for field trips and bring in guest speakers like naturalists. Useful drawing techniques for depicting nature accurately are presented, such as using grids and measurements. The goal is to help students develop an appreciation for nature through art.

2. Nature in the Art Room I am a K-5 art educator teaching in Lincoln, NE. I am in my 19 th year of teaching art, 13 years in Lincoln, NE. I taught half time art for 6 years in K-12 in two different rural districts…while working on a M.S. in Art Education at Wayne State College, Nebraska. I enjoy nature, and nature drawing. I joined the GNSI in Lincoln, NE. GNSI is a group of illustrators that use art and science in their careers, part time jobs, or just love art+science. I enjoy playing cello, gardening, and reading. I don’t have a lot of time “making” art, so I enjoy art making often through learning about others and how they create and sell their work through this group. I get to educate children as I teach illustration with the scientific methods that adults use. I teach both during the school year and in the summer. This gives me time to draw, and to share methods with students.

3. Nature in the Art Room I work at Kahoa Elementary in Lincoln, NE is one of 36 public elementary schools. Two elementary schools in Lincoln do not have art. My schedule involves 22 classes. Some of these classes are combined, and classes range from 22-29 students. Our K-5 school is site-based, so the principal chooses to have art, computer, p.e. and computer on a four day rotation. I teach 50 min. classes. I feel very strongly about nature. I am an assistant director for Kahoa outdoor education. We fundraise and take 87 third graders on an overnight learning event. We provide school outdoors (fishing, canoeing, campfire) for two days, spending the night in cabins at a local camp.

11. Nature in the Art Room Collect Artifacts

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16. Nature in the Art Room Entomologists

17. Nature in the Art Room Live Endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetles… In a Summer Course I co-teach, sometimes we focus on the Salt Creek area of Lincoln, NE. We study the riparian forest creatures and focus on salt creek plants/creatures. Sketching on vellum,pen/ink, and scratch board.

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19. Nature in the Art Room Even a 15 min. portfolio share by a free lance artist in your local area is extremely beneficial for students.

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21. Nature in the Art Room What Tree Is That? A guide to the more common trees found in the Eastern and Central U.S. Karina Helm Illustrator for Arbor Day Foundation 2008 http://www.helmillustration.com

30. Nature in the Art Room My work is primarily published in books and journal articles, yet I also have been commissioned for fine art framed pieces. I began exhibiting in juried shows in 2004 with two pieces at the Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona. Freelance ARTIST: Sara T.

49. Nature in the Art Room Michelle L. HansenDaberkow Some local Home Builders Associations may have contests for drawing to be displayed and judged at your local home and garden shows. Animal homes could be the basis for learning about ways to draw “If I Could Build a House” type contests in your area.

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