Objective: Students will observe artwork and make connections to real natural phenomena by creating sketchnotes to describe the science behind it.
Look: Ask students: What do you notice when you first look at this piece? What do you think the piece is depicting? What do the colors mean? What feeling does this painting give you? Briefly introduce the artist, Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, and the subject of the painting, the Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis.
Write: Begin with prompting question: What do you think causes the Northern Lights? Have a few students share. Students should get out their science notebooks and a blank piece of paper and something to write with to create sketch notes on the Northern Lights. Sketchnotes should include the Earth, Sun, and sky, drawings, and words.
Share: Once students are completed with their sketchnotes, they will exchange notes with a partner. Their partner should be able to explain the Northern Lights using the others’ sketchnotes. After this, they should provide positive or constructive feedback to their partner.
Standard: NGSS: Science & Engineering Practices: Developing and communicating explanations using models and visuals.