“How big would he have to be to eat the whole outdoor garden,” asked lower school visual arts teacher Kathie Johnson. The first graders puzzled over her question as they studied a caterpillar who was feasting upon one tiny leaf in the gardens surrounding the Zorniger Environmental Lab (Z-Lab) and Outdoor Exploration Center (OEC).

“We spent a good deal of time thinking about this idea and the students offered many different opinions on size,” said Johnson. The visual arts classes spent the first month of the school year investigating the Z-Lab and OEC and then creating artistic representations of their environment and special discoveries.

The following photos are a sampling of the First Grade Caterpillar Art Photo Album. Please visit our Facebook page for a full collection of artwork from the month spent in reaction to nature and the outdoors.