Grade:
Grades: 6-8 (Middle school), but can be modified for a variety of age groups.
Age:
10-14
Subject:
Art History
Submitted by:
Julie Mower , an art teacher at The Phoenix Center, Nutley, New Jersey
Description:
This lesson is part of a unit of study focusing on the career of Claude Monet. It explores his painting - "Garden at Sainte-Adresse". The concept of using strong vertical, horizontal, and diagonal line is introduced, and the students will create their own garden by the sea utilizing a similar composition design.
Time needed for lesson:
2-3 periods depending on the group of students
Objectives:
Students will:
establish their own design utilizing a similar composition to Monet's.
integrate their drawing skills in creating a "garden by the sea".
utilize strong vertical, horizontal, and diagonal line within their compositions.
incorporate their skills of establishing foreground, middle ground, and background in their composition.
What You Need:
Display size reproduction of Monet's "Garden at Sainte-Adresse" click here for image
12"x18" white drawing paper
Pencils
Erasers
Oil pastels
What You Do:
Pass out paper, pencils and erasers.
Display and discuss Claude Monet's painting "Garden at Sainte-
Adresse".
Discuss Monet's love of flowers and water.
Review the concept of foreground, middle ground, and background on the picture plane.
a. Instruct the students to lightly establish these 3 areas by drawing 2 light horizontal lines on their papers.
Point out Monet's use of horizontal line (horizon of the ocean, the wooden fence in the garden), vertical line (flag poles, tall standing flowers), and diagonal line (patio).
Instruct the students to create their own "garden by the sea"
a. Remind the students they must establish strong vertical, diagonal and horizontal lines.
1. Hint: The lines can be almost anything, trees, houses, roads, etc.
b. Students can depict any type of scene, but they must include flowers and water.
7. Students must show their pencil drawings before introducing oil pastels.
Differentiated instruction accommodations - Students who are more advanced drawers can get as complex as they would like with this project. Beginning students or students with special needs should be encouraged to establish basic compositions - offering any necessary assistance.
Evaluation/Assessment
Did the student use strong diagonal, horizontal, and vertical line in his/her design?
Were flowers and water incorporated into the composition?
Did the student establish a foreground, middle ground, and background on the picture plane?
Student Examples
Recommended Books/Videos:
Linnea in Monet's Garden
by Christina Bjork, Lena Anderson
Linnea has visited Claude Monet's garden! In Paris, she got to see many of his actual paintings. Now she understands what it means for a painter to be called an Impressionist. This innovative art book for children contains full-color photos of many of Monet's famous paintings.
Biography:
Julie Mower is an art teacher at The Phoenix Center, Nutley, New Jersey
KinderArt® Lesson/Activity 
