Van Gogh – Starry Night
Grade: 1

Objective:
Introduce Vincent van Gogh and his work, the techniques he used to paint, and replicate The Starry Night.

Standards:
ARTISTIC PERCEPTION 1.1: Describe and replicate repeated patterns in nature, in the environment, and in works of art.
CREATIVE EXPRESSION 2.4: Plan and use variations in line, shape/form, color, and texture to communicate ideas or feelings in works of art.

Materials:

  • “Van Gogh” by Mike Venezia
  • poster print of The Starry Night
  • black construction paper
  • oil pastels.

Anticipatory Set:
As the students sit down on the floor, the poster of The Starry Night will be posted on the board in front of them. I'll ask if anyone has ever seen the painting before. I'll then ask if they like it, and ask volunteers why they like it (or dislike it). I will tell them it was created by a very famous painter who lived a long time ago, and we're going to read a book about him. I will then tell them that after we read the book they will have the opportunity to draw the painting using oil pastel crayons.

Learning Procedure:
Read aloud the book “Van Gogh” and pass around MOMA photograph of The Starry Night. The book discusses why his work is important and how his technique is different. Discuss colors used in the paintings shown in the book. While reading, introduce the terms ‘portrait’ and ‘landscape’. Ask students what they think about The Starry Night. Do you like it? What does it make you think of/feel?

Student Activity:
Before dismissing the students to their desks, I will model a replication of the painting that I made. I will tell the class I do not consider myself a good painter or think I draw very well, but I was able to create my own version of the famous painting. I will tell them we are all creative and to put their own creativity into the project. Students will then be dismissed to desks where they will replicate The Starry Night on black construction paper using colored oil pastels.

Closure:
After student clean up and work is collected, they will return to their floor seats. Ask students what colors they used in their replications. Why? Ask if they remember Van Gogh’s favorite color to paint with. Ask what else they put in the picture (the cypress, houses, church steeple, mountains, wind, etc.)

Student Work:
Click on images to view larger.