Description

This activity introduces the Child to 12 famous artists, and three famous works from each, in beautiful colour illustrations.  The teacher presents this work, as:

• a 3-part card exercise, with detailed information about each artist on the back of the control; for the teacher to reference; and a matching activity
• the matching/sorting activity can be used in the following ways:-
  • match the artistic movement; or style; to famous paintings,
  • add the label with artists’ name, the date of birth, and death
  • to match the painting to the artist

Artiests Featured in this Material:

Features of the Famous Artists Activity:

• the direct objectives for the Child, are to:
  • build an understanding of famous artists
  • appreciate the different styles of painting
• indirectly, the Child learns to:
  • expand their vocabulary to express emotions, and classify visual experiences
  • develop reading skills
  • improve their focus and concentration
  • develop self-expression and their self-esteem
• this activity forms part of the Montessori language curriculum

Contents of the Famous Artists Activity:

• 12 sets of classified cards; each set has a control card; mute (image) card, and label
• the control card, has details about the artist,
  • when s/he lived
  • the style of painting he used
  • notable works, painted during the artists’ career
  • interesting facts
• 36 beautifully illustrated cards, depicting famous paintings – 3 per artist
• 12 additional labels, with the artists name, and the years that they lived
• the cards are stored in an A6 transparent, plastic envelope to store them on the Montessori shelf

Suggested Activities for the Child:

• Choose an Artist of the Month.  Choose artists that relate to your continent studies, and incorporate a famous artist?  Europe? Select Van Gogh’s The Starry Night
• Think creatively.  For example, Michelangelo lay on his back as he painted the Sistine Chapel.  Jolene Tollet presented this idea at the March 2011 AMS conference in Chicago.  After talking about the artist, she lets the children experience what Michelangelo did, painting on his back!  Tape a large sheet of paper to the bottom of a desk or table, and let the Child paint to their hearts’ content.  Don’t forget to protect their clothes and the floor!
• Discover mood.  Let the Child to describe the mood or emotions that the painting evokes – sad? happy? silly? tired? angry?
• Inspiration.  Set the Child a task to research the various works, and to try to understand the inspiration behind their paintings.

Size:  

• control card – 13.5cm x 9cm / (5¼” x 3½”)
• plastic envelope – 18cm x 13cm x 2cm / (7″ x 5″ x ¾”)

Attributions for the Famous Artists Activity:

• All works are faithful photographic reproductions of two-dimensional, public domain works of art.
• David by Michelangelo – Jörg Bittner Unna  and Wikipedia.
• Sistine Chapel ceiling – Amandajm
• John Constable – Stephencdickson