3 sessions; 40 minutes per session

1. SWBAT identify the different parts of a landscape.
2.SWBAT collaborate in small groups when discussing art.
3.SWBAT identify light sources in art pieces.
4. SWBAT identify the position of the artist.
5.SWBAT paint a winter tree with a background, middleground, and foreground.
6. SWBAT use a paint brush to create fine lines/making words in their art that relate to them.
7. SWBAT create highlights and shadows in their work.

1. Pencil
2. Paper
3. Tempera paint
4. Prints of Van gogh's trees, Gustav Klimnt's tree and Georgia O'Keeffe' s, The Lawrence Tree.
5. Brushes
6. Buckets with water
7. Question strips for small groups

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1. I can paint a tree that tells about me.
2. Give out a question strip to each table. Describe what you see in each painting. Where is Georgia O'Keeffe standing when she painted the Lawrence Tree? Van Gogh the Olive Trees? Klimt The Tree of Life? How are the alike? How are they different? Which painting looks most realistic? Why? If you could change one thing about any of the paintings what would it be and why? Which painting do you like the most? Why? Which painting do you like the least? Why?
3. Tell the students they will also be creating a unique tree that will tell about them. Show an example of a Me Tree. Ask them if they see anything unusual or different about this tree. Discuss the words that are written in the branches of them tree. Tell them their trees will reflect them in some way.
4. Give out some scrap paper and have them brainstorm words that reflect them. It can be songs that they like, friendship words, sports words, any words that they relate to. You may tell them they need 15 words or 20 words depending upon the age of the student.
5. Discuss VanGogh's Starry Night. Ask in small groups using question stips: Describe this painting. How did the artist use color in this painting. What color do you mainly see? Why do you think VanGogh used mostly blue?If I could put you inside this painting how would you feel, what would you hear, see, smell? Do you like this painting? Why or why not? What would you do with this painting if you owned it? Why? If you could change something in this painting what would it be? Why? (The kids usually answer the last question by saying they would change the cool sky blues to warm colors, which leads to the discussion of how this would change the feel of the painting completely)Tell them they will be painting winter trees. What color or colors do you think we should use to give the feeling of cold? Also, identify the background, middleground and foreground of the painting. They will need to create a background for their tree. Lightly sketch in the background with pencil. Older students can do this on canvas and paint it with acrylic paint. Demonstrate painting in the background using blue and white to create the shadows in the snow.
6. Once the background is dry sketch out the tree with the words in the branches. Stress keeping it very light. Have them paint the whole tree white. Show them how to use the brush by pulling up and away to create the thin branches at the ends of the tree.
7. Discuss light source. Use the previous prints and ask them where they think the light is coming from and why? An alternative to this activity is to divide them into small groups and have various prints around the room. I pick one where you can see shadows and highlights. Give them sticky notes and have them move in a group from one print to another and write down where they think the light is coming from and why. Then discuss as a class. Ask: How did the artist create highlights/shadows? Does this make the painting look more realistic or abstract?
7. Tell them they will pick a light source. Sometimes I have them place a yellow circle in the sky if there is no sun or moon. Demonstrate using blue and white to paint the tree. Using the darker blue on shadow sides of the tree trunk and usually under the branches and the lighter blue on the light sides. When the tree is complete demonstrate adding white snow to the tops of the branches where it would fall and pulling down to create some icicles.

Give out a blank sheet of writing paper and ask them to write about what they learned. This should include artists, techniques and a reflection on how they think their project turned out. I put the question or prompts on the elmo for them to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXQ7n0ezr_A

http://artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com/2008/01/gustav-klimt.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv8TANh8djI
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/artists/vincent_van_gogh.php
http://artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com/2008/10/georgia-okeeffe.html

I like to read to my kids when they are working. I tell them to go to right brain for 10 minutes and they work and listen. They seem to enjoy the quiet working time. I will read about the artist we are studying. Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artist's is a good series for the younger students.

Vincent van Gogh, Georgia O’Keeffe, Gustav Klimt, Gustav Klimt

Realism, Post-Impressionism, Abstract Art

Contrast, Emphasis, Line, Proportion/Size, Rhythm/Pattern, Variety

Drawing, Painting, Paper, Pencil, Tempera

English/Language Arts, History/Social Studies