Lesson plans for ages 9-11 in Art: A Response Through Artwork

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The painting workshop in Al Karama makeshift camp on the border of Iraq and Jordan.

© UNHCR/M.Cierna

LESSONS 1 and 2: What do you see in your mind?

Preparation

The children will need paper, coloured pencils, felt-tip pens, crayons or paints.

Choose one of the selected passages ("Narin's Story", "Something like an accident" or "I am the first born"), or another evocative passage from elsewhere to read to the children. References are provided in the Resources column of the Unit Plan for Ages 9-11 in Art.

Procedure

Have the children relax; they could perhaps rest their heads on their arms on their tables. Read to them the selected passage, encouraging them to picture in the minds what is happening in the story.

Ask the children to imagine themselves in the situation described in the passage. What would be their feeling(s)? Fear? Loss? Sadness? Anger? ... What colour(s) would they choose to express their feeling(s)?

Hand out the drawing materials and ask the students to draw or paint as they wish in response to the reading. Encourage the children with few ideas or who are unwilling to participate (for whatever reason).

Towards the end of the two lessons, ask several children to share their pictures with the rest of the class. You could arrange an exhibition of the students' pictures, perhaps coinciding with a Parent-Teacher meeting or an Open Night.