Note: this activity is part of the lesson on photosynthesis.
Activity 5: Impressionism
Purpose: To show students how an artist such as Monet was inspired by nature to create masterpieces. Perhaps students can create their own masterpiece using his technique of capturing light (using lighter shades of colors, such as whites, yellows, grays, and tan tones).
Materials: Monet’s paintings (web-site or book), watercolor paper, watercolor paint, paintbrushes, water cups, recycled paper, and pencil or pen.
Procedure: (Show students Monet’s work and discuss his technique of capturing light)
• Display Monet’s images on a Smartboard or check out a large book on Monet’s paintings. Go through the paintings and ask students if they can see how Monet captured light. Ask students how they think Monet achieved this? Ask them if they would like to attempt to capture light in their own paintings. Paste a piece of watercolor paper to pdf (see below)
• Ask students to write a quote (like Monet did) about the inspiration behind their painting. Have students share their paintings and quotes with each other. These can be showcased in the classroom.
• Note: Sometimes students are inspired by quotes. Students can choose from the following quotes and paint a picture (using Monet’s technique of capturing light) for a quote. The National Wildlife Federation has a wonderful calendar 2012-2013 with beautiful photographs of nature and animals (and the following quotes).
• Students can also express their interpretation of a quote through writing (see below)
Quotes:
An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language. – Martin Buber
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave. – Native American Proverb
The landscape belongs to the person who looks at it. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a songbird will come. – Chinese Proverb
In the wilderness is the preservation of the world. – Henry David Thoreau
We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. – Native American Proverb
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. – William Shakespeare
Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. – Frank Lloyd Wright
We must protect the forest for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, and trees. – Qwatsinas, Nuxalk Nation
All good things are wild and free. – Henry David Thoreau
We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understandings and our hearts. – William Hazlitt
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. – Albert Einstein
Let nature be your teacher. – William Wordsworth
Keep your sense of proportion by regularly, preferably daily, visiting the natural world. – Catlin Matthews
The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth. – Chief Seattle
References:
National Wildlife Federation 2012-2013 calendar
Inspiration
Quote:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
This quote inspired me because _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
Written and illustrated by _________________________________
