Endangered Animals of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

After their visit to Morocco, 2nd grade artists went to Brazil. We started by learning about the Amazon Rainforest, 60% of which is located in Brazil. Then we looked at the endangered animals of the Amazon Rainforest and discussed what it means to be endangered, which is when there are not many of an animal species left and they are at risk for extinction. We noticed that the word "danger" is part of the word "endangered." 

We learned specifically about five endangered animals from the Amazon Rainforest, including the hyacinth macaw, jaguar, poison dart frog, golden lion tamarin monkey, and the three-toed sloth. We began by learning about the Amazon Rainforest and its environment and climate, as well as reasons why certain animals are endangered there. For example, the jaguar is endangered because people hunt them for their fur and the hyacinth macaws are being caught and sold as pets. 

Students selected one animal to sketch, using reference images, and drew the animal it its rainforest habitat. Using oil pastels, students added color and thought about the texture of their chosen animal. 

During the following class, students added details to the background to suggest the Amazon rainforest, such as leaves, branches, and vines. We made sure to leave some of the white paper showing. 

Then we painted over their oil pastel drawing with liquid watercolor to create a resist, since the oil pastel and watercolor paint do not mix. 

As a conclusion to the project, students participated in a turn and talk, where they discussed their artwork with a partner using special fortune tellers to help start the conversation. We also had a gallery walk to see everyone's finished artwork. Students shared their observations afterwards, noticing that everyone included the rainforest environment in their backgrounds and focused on the texture and pattern on their animal's body. Here are some finished examples:

Tatiana, 2nd grade (Pearse)

Ben S., 2nd grade (Pearse)

Amaia, 2nd grade (McIsaac)

Evey, 2nd grade (Pearse)

Gavin, 2nd grade (O'Leary)

Lia, 2nd grade (O'Connor)

Manos, 2nd grade (McIsaac)

Yulissa, 2nd grade (McIsaac)

Lory, 2nd grade (O'Leary)

Pavlos, 2nd grade (McIsaac)

Tamia, 2nd grade (O'Connor)

We will be doing one more project connected to Brazil, before our next journey, so stay tuned!