Lesson Plan: Monet - Tempera Chalk Painting

Submitted by: Jill Day, Wilder Elementary School in Littleton, Colorado.
Unit: Impressionism - Painting - Landscape
Lesson: Tempera/chalk painting
This lesson plan is adapted from one submitted by Pam Stephens
Grade Level: Elementary (these are third grade)

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Title of Lesson	Monet’s Garden -Tempera/Chalk Painting
Grade Level	3
Objectives(s)	Student will: Actively investigate and accurately interpret with supporting evidence the artwork of Claude Monet Vividly communicate a deep understanding of Impressionism Accurately reflect upon learning Explore color mixing and blending of chalk (or pastels) - work with tints of colors - learn a little about color planning (complimentary colors - related colors) Find beauty in nature
Essential Questions	Who is Claude Monet? What is Impressionism? What are tints? What is a color plan?
Resources & Materials	Poster images of Impressionism and artwork by Monet Calendar Prints of Impressionism - various artists - post card prints Landscapes and garden photographs Video: Linnea in Monet’s Garden Greg Percy's Songs in the Key of Art Volume 4 "Monet's Mom" Oatmeal paper or construction paper (12" x 18") -any textured paper will work, pencils, Colored Chalk, White tempera, plastic dishes, water cups, brushes (pastels will work for this too - they are just more expensive)
Motivation	View video and discuss artwork Display posters and discuss Impressionism - Show PowerPoint® Review/demo Instructions on PowerPoint® Choose what you will paint. Here’s some ideas: Garden scene, water lilies, the Japanese garden, water garden. Draw a rough draft on your paper. Keep it “coloring book simple”. Name and class code on the back of picture. Paint a small area with white tempera, no bigger than your fist Moisten the chalk. Draw and paint with the moist chalk on wet paint. Blend colors. Observe what happens to the colors as they mix with the paint. Jill's students looked at Impressionism, primarily Monet. Students were able to produce some interesting looking "brush strokes" with the moistened chalk. They were able to keep a clear palette, similar to Monet's. Students created some beautiful "watery" paintings. When dry, they have an impasto look and appear more painting-like than chalk-like. The kids are loved working with it.
Activities/Sequence	Create an Impressionistic landscape/garden scene Distribute Oatmeal paper (or construction paper), 1 per every 2 children Have several cups of white tempera on table. Each child may have his/her own water cup Lightly draw landscape/garden with white chalk (or pencil) Put your name and section on the back of paper. Paint area (fist size/baseball size) with white tempera Dip chalk into water dish and draw into the wet paint. If paint dries - brush on a bit more. Blend some related colors together for interest within shapes. Notice what happens to the colors as they mix with the paint. Have a class critique and "show opening" when all are finished. Display all work and admire the beauty. Suggestion: Have a student panel select the ones they like best and make cards for Mother's Day. They would make a wonderful gift. Staff members will buy several sets as will parents. Make them to order and have parent volunteers help with the printing.

Assessment Rubric

Objective	Novice	Acceptable	Mastery
Actively investigate and accurately interpret with supporting evidence the artwork of Claude Monet	Does not or will not investigate and interpret with accuracy and supporting evidence the artwork of Claude Monet	Investigates and interprets with limited accuracy and supporting evidence the artwork of Claude Monet in limited ways	Investigates and interprets with accuracy and with a variety of supporting evidence the artwork of Claude Monet
Vividly communicate a deep understanding of Impressionism	Communicates an inaccurate understanding of Impressionism	Communicates a limited understanding of Impressionism	Communicates in a variety of ways a deep understanding of Impressionism
Accurately reflect upon learning	Does not or cannot reflect learning	Reflects with limited ability	Reflects upon learning with supporting evidence of understanding

Student Reflection

Name _______________________ Teacher ________________ Date _______

What does Claude Monet try to show in his art?

How is your artwork similar to Monet’s artwork? How is it different?

What did you learn in this lesson?

Chalk and Buttermilk Questions and Tips

Kathy Hughes got this thread going on Getty TeacherArtExchange:

From Kathy: Supposedly the buttermilk acts like a fixative and the chalk will spread on like paint after dipping. I'm thinking about possibly doing this with second grade with them drawing the image in white chalk on black paper and then painting with the colored chalk dipped in buttermilk. I'm wondering if the chalk will smear if they wipe off the surface of the paper with a damp sponge after it's dry in order to get off the white chalk lines?

From Judy: Kathy did many experiments and was unable to get the chalk to make a mark. What could be different now with the chemical make-up of chalk that it no longer works? Maybe pastel will still work with this method.