Sunflowers, Van Gogh, and You

Objectives

  • Students will learn about Vincent van Gogh's life and art.
  • Students will create sunflower paintings.
  • Students will taste sunflower seeds.
  • Students will plant sunflower seeds.

Materials

  • Art supplies
  • Internet access
  • Sunflower seeds (edible and plantable)
  • Planting materials (pots, soil)

Procedures

  1. Ask students what the word "sunflower" brings to their minds.
  2. Make a list of their ideas on the board.
  3. Distribute some edible sunflower seeds, being sure to remind students that they should only eat the variety of seeds that are distributed for consumption.
  4. Let the students taste the seeds and share their observations.
  5. Explain the various uses of sunflowers (oil, food, decoration).
  6. Introduce the students to Vincent van Gogh by exploring the Vincent van Gogh Information Gallery (http://www.vangoghgallery.com/index.html).
  7. Ask them to find three facts on van Gogh's life to share with the class.
  8. Have students spend a significant portion of time looking at the Sunflower paintings by van Gogh (http://www.vangoghgallery.com/misc/sun
    flowers.htm).
  9. Distribute art materials and ask students to make their own sunflower paintings.
  10. Have students plant sunflowers in pots. They will need to transplant them outdoors in a few weeks.
Students will taste sunflower seeds, plant sunflowers, research Vincent van Gogh, and paint a picture of a sunflower.
Grades
K |
1 |
2
Holidays
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