Activity 9: Past-Present-Future Views

Focus
Students visit a lookout or viewing point and make field sketches to predict changes in the landscape. (Alternatively, use a landscape image from the Image Library.)

Background
The field sketch boundaries are determined by peripheral vision. Stretch out your arms in front of you. While looking straight ahead, spread your arms in a v-shape to their widest point, just before you can’t see your arms and hands any more. The short video interview Will the rainforest exist in 2040? may be a useful resource during this activity.

Will the Rainforest Exist in 2040?

Pedagogy/teaching strategies
• Determining field of view and making a field sketch.

Activity sequence
1. Construct a field sketch of a local vista:
• outline the background (mountains, treeline)
• work towards the mid-ground sketching items in detail
• sketch elements in the foreground.
2. Repeat this process for the same vista 50 or more years ago.
3. Repeat this process for the same vista 50 or more years into the future.