Title of Lesson

Exploring the Jungles of Rousseau

Grade Level

2 - 4

Objectives(s)

Student will:

• Keenly explore masterworks by Henri Rousseau
• Accurately interpret masterworks by Rousseau
• Effectively demonstrate visually and orally an understanding of the content of masterworks of Rousseau
• Thoughtfully reflect upon learning

Essential Questions

Who is Henri Rousseau?

What did Rousseau express through works of art?

Resources & Materials

Masterworks by Rousseau, Tropical Forest with Monkeys, Carnival Evening, and Sleeping Gypsy
 Know the Artist: Henri Rousseau links page
Dropping in on Rousseau video

Question cards

Assorted live plants

12” x 18” heavy white paper

Watercolor crayons (or watercolor pencils)

Brushes, water containers

Motivation

• Distribute question cards and preview questions
• Show first two paintings in the video
• Answer question cards
• Display prints and look for clues in the pictures that show Rousseau’s technique of enlarging houseplants to appear to be jungle plants
• Discuss careful observation and enlarging
• Demonstrate drawing from life

Activities/Sequence

Create a jungle scene from house plants

1. Place the plants on various tables and allow students to draw at each station for about 10 minutes
2. Encourage filling the page, overlapping, enlarging, seeking details
3. Demonstrate use of watercolor crayons
4. Ask students to color the artwork; encourage mixing of colors
5. Demonstrate using water with the brush
6. Allow to dry overnight
7. Outline or add details with marker

Optional:  On a small sheet of paper, draw animals to cut out and hide in the jungle.

8. Reflect orally or in writing about the masterworks and student work.
9. Create a 5” x 5” clay tile that reproduces a small segment of the original drawing.

Objective

Novice

Acceptable

Mastery

Actively explore masterworks by Henri Rousseau

Will not or cannot actively explore masterworks by Henri Rousseau

Explores masterworks by Henri Rousseau in limited ways

Actively explore masterworks by Henri Rousseau in multiple ways

Accurately interpret masterworks by Rousseau

Will not or cannot accurately interpret masterworks by Rousseau

Interprets masterworks by Rousseau in limited ways or with slight support

Accurately interprets masterworks by Rousseau in a variety of ways and with support

Effectively demonstrate visually and orally an understanding of the masterworks of Rousseau

Cannot or will not effectively demonstrate visually and orally an understanding of the masterworks of Rousseau

Demonstrates visually and orally a limited understanding of the masterworks of Rousseau

Effectively demonstrates visually and orally a deep understanding of the masterworks of Rousseau

Thoughtfully reflect upon learning

Will not or cannot thoughtfully reflect upon learning

Reflect upon learning with limited care and thoughtfulness

Thoughtfully reflects upon learning and supports ideas

1. Who is the artist?

2. Where did he live?

3. What did the artist draw and paint?

4. What was the artist’s secret about his work?

Name _______________________ Teacher __________________ Date

Use complete sentences to answer these questions.

1. Who is Henri Rousseau?

2. Tell one fact about Rousseau’s jungle artwork.

3. What did you express through your artwork?