Procedure Take students outdoors to observe colors in the sky, asking them to name and describe colors and tell how colors might be mixed for a painting. View several van Gogh landscapes with students, encouraging discussion of his uses of color, brush strokes, and mood in the skies. Emphasize color mixing. Discuss feeling qualities in the skies, assisting students to interpret moods. Refer students to the job chart and assist them to work as partners to make their paintings.
Buddies take care of cleanup, replacing brushes, palettes, water cans, and paint shirts.
When all students have had their turn at painting, have a sharing session where each artist has opportunity to show and tell about his or her painting. Note how each student understood the assignment by viewing their paintings. Question students in small groups to assess what they know and remember about the life of van Gogh and about particular works studied in class, such as Starry Night . Background for Teacher Study materials on the life and works of Vincent van Gogh as preparation for discussions with students. Note relationships with other subjects in the first-grade curriculum that can be correlated or integrated with this art lesson.