Ocean Story: A Watercolor Adventure

14. Life Below Water
Art
Grades 5-8
30-60 Minutes

Materials Needed

  • • Watercolor paper (one sheet per student)
  • • Watercolor paints
  • • Watercolor brushes
  • • Containers for water
  • • Paper towels or sponges
  • • Palette or mixing surface (plastic plates or lids)

Goal 14: Life Below Water

You can find an introduction to Goal 14, as well as the Targets & Indicators, Objectives, and Action Planning Resources on the Goal overview page.

See Goal 14 Overview
Goal 14 icon
1

Introduction

Introduce Global Goal 14.
2

Guided Imagery

Lead guided imagery exercise: students visualize beautiful ocean with coral reef and sea turtle, then notice pollution (plastic), then see people cleaning beach. Students reflect on emotions.
1

Learn Watercolor Techniques

Introduce watercolor techniques: wet-on-wet (soft blending for water), wet-on-dry (sharp lines for details), lifting (highlights), layering (depth). Students practice on paper.
1

Create Class Mural

Create class mural with "Problem" side (pollution examples: plastic bags, tangled nets, turtle with straw, oil slick) and "Solution" side (healthy ocean, people cleaning, scientist studying reef, recycling signs).
1

Create Watercolor Paintings

Students create individual watercolor paintings choosing one idea from brainstorm mural, using techniques to tell story and evoke emotion through color and composition.
1

Gallery Walk

Students display paintings and share stories: main message, watercolor techniques used, emotions to inspire, connection to Global Goal 14.

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