Illustrating Living Organisms

In this unit of activities, students will use images gathered from Internet sources, such as, that provide animal anatomy outlines, including labeling of body parts. These sheets can be used as student worksheets when used without the labels, to assess students knowledge of anatomy. These same sheets can also be used as actual templates for three-dimensional models, as developed in this lesson plan.

Example of Students Artwork


* SW Compare and Contrast animals found in the area of Iraq, to dispel misconceptions about this temperate climatic zone, often thought to be solely a desert biome.
* Use computers that have Internet access to analyze animal anatomy.
* Use the information gathered to graphically illustrate the physical features of the selected animals.


* Instructors may use their own discretion as how to use the Internet resource in this lesson plan. For example the students may be instructed to find pre-selected information as in a scavenger hunt that requires students to read and comprehend for specific informational text.
* Students may also be instructed to use the information in a comparison and contrast activity. This type of activity will enable students to dispel certain misconceptions, and to make many comparative connections between the Middle East region and certain states within the U.S.

Identify the animals that are found, both in the Middle East as well as the U.S. such as the flamingo, and the deer (goitered gazelle).
* Search the list of animals through the alphabetized listing of animal?s anatomy on sites such as enchanted learning.
* For primary grades students many trace the outlines of copies printed from this website, then trace and cut out the various body parts. These body parts will then be used to cut out exact parts onto colored construction paper. Finally, students will glue the parts on the original images.
* Students may be assessed in a number of ways. For example, in tracing images, and how careful were the students in accurately tracing the outlines; Using tools (scissors) safely, and accurately cutting out the body parts. Colored Construction paper may be pre-selected, however students may be assessed on how accurate were they in selecting colors that came closest to the colors listed on the labeled anatomies (body parts and colors are provided via enchanted learning).
* Upper grade levels may use the images to analyze and accurately render the animal?s anatomies using regular graphite pencils. Colored pencils, watercolor, acrylics, etc. Instructors should use the students own skill levels in determining appropriate mediums.
* Accurate rendering and identification of the body parts by labeling should be stressed, as this helps students to focus on careful observation, the hallmark process skills in both science and visual art practice.

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