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Wetland Wildflowers

Students will learn about wetland ecosystems and create art that depicts some of the beautiful flora found there.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    A wetland is an ecosystem where water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface of the soil all year or at varying times. Have students learn about wetlands, which are either coastal/tidal (found along coasts) or inland/non-tidal (found along rivers and streams, lakes and ponds, and other low-lying areas). What are some examples of coastal wetlands? What are some inland wetlands? What is the only continent that doesn't have a wetland? Why is a wetland a vital ecosystem for the health of the planet? 

  • Step 2

    Ask students to learn about and look at images of some of the flora that are native to wetlands. Examples might include the swamp rose (a flowering shrub), yellow iris (common in the wetlands of Europe, northwest Africa, and West Asia), sea thrift (a coastal plant), or any others.

  • Step 3

    Have students outline the wetland flora they researched on a dry piece of watercolor paper. They can then add water over their outline and use the paint brush to bring in heavier concentrations of watercolor in focal areas while they gently spritz color from the brush tip over the background areas.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their art and discuss the flower they depicted and where it would be found.

Standards

SCI: Use evidence to support the concept that behaviors can be influenced by the environment and the environment is impacted by behavior. 

SCI: Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Adaptations

Have students investigate disturbances (sometimes called stressors or alterations) that can negatively affect wetlands. These include natural disturbances such as flooding or drought as well as human-made disturbances such as pollution, overfishing, etc.

Have students learn about and create a poster to promote World Wetlands Day, which is celebrated yearly on February 2 to raise awareness about wetlands.