“A Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh
Early ES / Art
Art, Observation, Science
* Note that the title of the painting is withheld until the last core question.
Over the course of several days, discuss objects in the sky. Assign as homework one
day (or several days) that students should look at the night sky and list what they see.
Make a class T chart listing these in one column, and in the other column, a list of what
can be seen in the sky outside the classroom during the day.
Display the art piece in the room at a height easily accessible for viewing by the
students. Divide the painting in half with a vertical line in the center. Label A and B. * Do
not reveal the title of the painting
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Share background information as appropriate:
Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890). He was probably one of the most well-known and
influential artists of the 19th century. The son of a Dutch pastor, the young Van Gogh
worked for picture dealers along with his brother Theo. He also taught in two English
schools and in his twenties, became a missionary in the coal mining district of the
Barniage in Belgium, where he lived among the miners and shared their hardships.
During his life, Van Gogh lived in various locations including Brussels, The Hague,
Antwerp and Drenthe and in his travels, taught himself to draw and paint, in addition to
taking the occasional art lesson. He moved to Paris at age 33, and it was there that he
came into contact with the work of the Impressionists.
Early on, his work was dark in color with heavy forms and subject matter depicting
peasants at work in the fields, in Paris, Van Gogh's paintings began to take on a
somewhat Impressionistic feel. Flowers, portraits, self-portraits and images of Paris
appeared in his work. He went to Arles at the age of 35 and upon arriving painted
landscapes and portraits full of vivid colors and passionate feelings.
http://www.kinderart.com/painting/vangogh.shtmlon, retrieved on January 10, 2016
OR as appropriate, view the video created for children:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv8TANh8djl
Use the art terms line, shadow, light, and shape, in class discussion of the following
questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What colors do you see?
What shapes do you see?
Describe the lines you see.
Where do you see light? Where do you see shadows?
As a group, list objects that can be seen in each segment (A and B) of the painting.
Record these on a chart or slide on the interactive white board. Individually make a
pencil sketch or copy of the painting.
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 What is the most interesting object in the painting? (round-robin response)
 Why do you think that object is the most interesting? (spontaneous
discussion)
 Why do you think Van Gogh chose to paint this scene at night?
 How is this image similar to a sky you have seen?
 How is this image different from a sky you have seen?
 The artist titled this painting “Starry Night.” What did Van Gogh want to tell
us about the Starry Night?
 If you were the artist, would time of day would you choose to paint? Why?
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Review the T chart created in the Launch Activity. Add to the chart as needed.
After our discussion about “Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh, create a drawing using
construction paper and oil pastels that features a particular time of day or night. Write
an annotation to accompany your illustration in which you describe the time of day or
night that you chose to depict.
(LDC Task#: 14
)
Create a class list of times of day or night. Use terms such as foggy morning, stormy
afternoon, quiet twilight, misty dawn, dusty evening.
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Support students as they decide the time/condition of day or night they are going to
depict, and make notes about what they plan to include.
Challenge all to create their illustration and sentence of annotation.
Each student should share his or her piece with a shoulder buddy. The listener should
repeat to the creator something heard, and ask a question to help the creator refine his
or her description.
Teacher should edit student writing for appropriate spelling and conventions, and
support students as they make corrections.
Create a bulletin board display for other classes to view in the hallway, with student
products positioned surrounding a print of Van Gogh’s work.
First Grade Team
Providence Spring Elementary
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Text:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Van_Gogh__Starry_Night_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg/1280x-Van_Gogh_-_Starry_Night__Google_Art_Project.jpg
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