Objective
By the end of this lesson, Maxwell will learn about Vincent van Gogh's famous painting "Sunflowers," understand what makes it special, and create his own sunflower art inspired by Van Gogh.
Materials and Prep
- Paper (any type will do!)
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- A quiet space to work and think
Before starting the lesson, make sure to have a comfortable area set up for art and discussion. It’s also helpful to find a picture of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" to show Maxwell during the lesson.
Activities
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Art Exploration:
Show Maxwell a picture of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers." Ask him what he sees and how it makes him feel. Discuss the colors and shapes in the painting.
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Sunflower Drawing:
Encourage Maxwell to draw his own version of sunflowers using crayons or markers. He can use bright colors like yellow and orange, just like Van Gogh!
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Story Time:
Share a short story about Vincent van Gogh's life and what inspired him to paint sunflowers. You can make it fun by using funny voices or acting out parts of the story!
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Sunflower Dance:
Play some cheerful music and invite Maxwell to dance like sunflowers swaying in the wind. This will help him connect movement with the beauty of the painting!
Talking Points
- "Vincent van Gogh was a painter who loved bright colors. Can you see how bright the sunflowers are?"
- "Van Gogh painted many pictures of sunflowers. Why do you think he liked them so much?"
- "Look at how Van Gogh used swirls and lines in his painting. What do you think those shapes remind you of?"
- "Sunflowers always turn to face the sun. Isn’t that cool? What do you think that means?"
- "When Van Gogh painted, he used a lot of paint! Can you guess how many colors he used in his sunflowers?"
- "Art can make us feel happy or excited. How do you feel when you look at Van Gogh's sunflowers?"