A Vincent Van Gogh quotation teaches students the importance of color in poetic imagery and inspires students to write original poetry in a summer inspired activity.
Summer gardens bring to mind the glory of nature's colors, and, not surprisingly, both modern and traditional children's poetry are full of vivid color imagery. Use an artist's quotation, paints, and modeled poetry to help elementary students to understand how visual imagery can make language come alive.
This colorful poetry lesson helps students to understand the power of visual imagery in poetry. It can be used in conjunction with other poetry or figurative language lessons.
Supplies:
Blue, yellow, and orange tempera paint in paint containers
Paint brushes
Cups of water and paper towels (for cleaning brushes)
Large pieces of butcher paper (at least 3X3 feet) with the following quotation by Vincent Van Gogh: "There is no blue without yellow and without orange" printed in the middle. (Classroom management tip: Write the quotation on each paper in advance and tape the butcher paper sheets around the room on large tables or on the floor.)
Pastels or crayons
8 1/2 X 11 or larger white paper for each student
Activities:
Break students into groups of three.
Present each group with a large piece of butcher paper and blue, yellow, and orange paints.
Provide one paint brush for each student.
Tell the students that each group will paint a picture without speaking to the other members of his or her group. Group members should make a concrete and unified picture even thought they may not discuss the subject of the painting in advance. Tell students to try to use the colors only in ways that makes sense (i.e. no blue dogs). They may, however, blend colors (i.e. blend blue and yellow to make green).
Set a timer for 10 minutes during which time the students should paint quietly.
After ten minutes, bring students together again for a classroom discussion. Topics for Discussion:
How did it feel to be limited to one color without being able to communicate with the other group members?
How did the picture turn out?
What would have made the pictures better?
What do you think that Van Gogh meant by the quotation?
Ask students to use pastels or crayons to draw what they "see" in the poem.
Ask students to write an individual color poem in the style of a favorite color poem (Classroom Management Hint: Have plenty of poetry books on hand for this assignment).
Display the drawings on bright colored construction paper along with the poems the drawings represent.
The copyright of the article Visual Imagery, Painting, & Poetry in Curricula/Lesson Plans is owned by Susan Hyde. Permission to republish Visual Imagery, Painting, & Poetry in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
