Interdisciplinary Lesson Plan

Title: Writing about paintings!

Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd

Overview: Students will look at various pieces of artwork done by Vincent Van Gogh. The student
then picks an artwork to write a small story by using specific elements and objects shown in the
artist’s artwork. Students after writing their story will also draw their own piece of art relating to
their story. Students will be describing what painting they picked, why they picked that painting and
present their small story orally to the class along with showing off their own drawing featuring their
story. Feedback will be given about what students liked and think what they could add or improve
on.

Objectives:

1. Students will learn how to take visual elements and objects from what they see and

translate it into a written format.

2. Help students learn the six fundamentals of language arts and creative writing: Ideas,

Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency and Conventions.

3. Allows students to learn how to give feedback and learn how to handle feedback in

writing stories.

4. Teaches students the value in revision and editing the story they create.

5. Students will be able to learn about Van Gogh and about his art style, art texture, and

paintings.

State Standards:

[Link].1.3

With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

Cognitive Complexity: Level 1: Recall

With prompting and support, identify the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of
each in telling the story.

Cognitive Complexity: Level 1: Recall

VA.3.C.1

Cognition and reflection are required to appreciate, interpret, and create with artistic intent.

Cognitive Complexity: Level 1: Critical Thinking and Reflection

Materials:

 Pencils for both drawing and writing stories and their drawings
 Papers (Blank paper for drawing and lined paper for writing their stories on)
 Coloured pencils for drawing
 Markers for drawing
 Crayons for drawing
 Other small art supplies for students to be able to be creative! (googly eyes,
glitter, etc)
 Printed out pictures of the paintings (Not necessary but highly recommended)

Preparations: The teacher should prepare to have the art pieces ready to be projected on a projector
so that the students can look at each art piece and pick which one they would like to write about. The
teacher should also prepare all the material to be easily accessible for students to be able to grab
easily and get to work on writing and drawing. The most important part about this lesson plan is to
thoroughly go through Van Gogh’s style and to make sure you give students enough time to work on
their story and drawing.

Introduction: The teacher begins by telling their students what they will be doing today and turn on
the projector. Once the different paintings are displayed by Van Gogh the teacher will then describe
each painting briefly. Alternatively, it is recommended to also print out the paintings and show them
on a table. The teacher will talk about what the painting is displaying and who it is by. Continue to ask
questions to students about Van Gogh’s art style and what the texture of his paintings look like. The
teacher will then give students a short amount of time (roughly around 5 or so minutes) to pick a piece
of art. Then describe to the students that they will be writing a story relating to the art piece they
picked. Also, tell the students that after finishing the story they will be making a drawing based off
their story. Give students time to be able to finish the story and the drawing (roughly 20 to 30 minutes
for each mini activity but you could also give students time to really detail everything and break up
each mini activity for each class period a day). Finally allow students to be able to share to the class
their story and what drawing it was based off of and also their drawing (you can choose either to call
on students or let them volunteer).

Studio Activity:

1. Students start by viewing the pieces of artwork and allow themselves to be informed by the
teacher what the art is about and who made it.
2. The student will choose what art they want to write about.
3. The student will take around 20 to 30 minutes writing about their stories.
4. The student will then take 20 to 30 minutes to create a drawing based on their story.
5. Students will then talk about which painting they decided to pick and why.
6. Students will orally present to other students their writing.
7. Student will finally display their drawing after presenting their story

Closure: The teacher should make sure to ask meaningful questions to have students reflect on why
they picked to draw and write about what they did. Maybe their story relates to a real-life experience
or something similar and if so, make sure to follow up on that. The teacher should also try to prod
students thinking when it comes to writing as well, asking question about the writing and figure out
why they picked out certain information from the painting to incorporate into the story.

Assessment:

Formative Assessment: Demonstrates how students can take something and recreate it in a
unique way of their own. Allows students to be able to reflect on previous experiences or
memories

Summative Assessment: Helps students demonstrate their artwork ability and what stage they are
at. Helps students learn about Van Gogh (about his style of painting as well as what kinds of
paintings he did).

Extensions/Connections: Students should be able to connect their drawings or writings to in real life
experiences or things which they have seen and take interest in.

Artists & Works of Art Studied:

Most of Van Gogh’s work works well with story creating and is child friendly. Van Gogh has a

lot of great landscapes and pictures involving people and nature, which can invoke a lot of great
 messages for students to think and write about in their own way. Here are some of the paintings

which I personally find interesting to get students to write about:

 Seascape at Saintes-Maries by Van Gogh (1888)

 Farmhouse in Provence by Van Gogh (1888)

 The Olive Orchard by Van Gogh (1889)

 The Dance Hall in Arles by Van Gogh (1888)

Resources:

[Link] for using works of Van