Remember the Best

Remember the Best lesson plan

Which memories do you remember the best? Use Crayola® Markers to create artwork that tells a story in the tradition of Rivera, Ringgold, and Picasso.

  • 1.

    Visit a local museum, peruse artwork online, or look through art books to view images that tell a story. Explore the artwork of Diego Rivera. Interpret the stories depicted in Faith Ringgold's <i>Neighborhood Quilts</i>. And interpret the hidden images in Pablo Picasso's <i>Guernica</i>.

  • 2.

    What is your favorite memory of where you live or used to live? It might include friends, family, neighbors, buildings, festivals, or weather.

  • 3.

    Using Crayola Washable Markers and Multicultural Markers, draw your memory on colored construction paper. Make the edges of your drawing irregular (not straight).

  • 4.

    Write a description of your memory around the edges of your drawing, using Crayola Washable Fine Tip Markers.

  • 5.

    Trim the irregular edges of your drawing with Crayola Scissors.

  • 6.

    Glue several drawings on a posterboard with Crayola Washable Glue Sticks to produce a classroom mural.

  • 7.

    Describe your work for the group. How is it similar to other artists' work? How is it different?

Benefits

  • Children learn about mural art by studying the artwork of Diego Rivera, the <i>Neighborhood Quilts</i> of Faith Ringgold, and Pablo Picasso's <i>Guernica.</i> Students notice many images in this artwork, each with its own story.
  • Students draw and write stories about neighborhoods familiar to them.
  • Children compare and contrast their mural pieces and those of other fine artists.

Adaptations

  • On the first day of school, children draw themselves doing their favorite things.
  • Illustrate ideas about any curriculum topics, such as food groups or endangered species.
  • Display the mural at an open house. Students and their families get to know each other better, and polish their public speaking skills, too.
  • Younger children and special needs students may need assistance with writing descriptions of memories. Provide partners or adult assistance as needed.
  • Teachers may wish to preview artwork to select the most appropriate treatment of subjects for students.