Studying About Henri Rousseau - Online Lessons

 HENRI ROUSSEAU 

Grade 2 students inquired into the great French artist and his fabulous jungles.

Teacher Demo: Drawing of A jungle inspired by Henri Rousseau 

          Teacher Demo: Colouring in the jungle inspired by Henri Rousseau 

Students works

Students were tuned into the unit by reading "The fantastic Jungle of Henri Rousseau" by Michelle Markel. They learnt about Henri who is forty years old and is a toll collector but decides to be an artist.  Second Graders learnt about his inspirations and his creative process. 

After reading the book students shared their learning about the artist based on teacher questions

- What is the name of the artist?
- Where was he from?
- What did he do before he was an artist?
- What did he like to paint?
- Where did he go to find inspiration for his paintings?
- How did his studio look like?
-What was Henri Rousseau's method of painting?

Students sketched and practised drawing different kinds of trees, plants and animals for a to prepare themselves to make Henri Rousseau jungle. 

I use this unit as a opportunity to hone my students drawing skills as well as observational skills.

Looking into jungles of Henri Rousseau. Observing the different kind of trees and plants he painted

 Sometimes potted plants too

Observing the proportion of the tall grass, size of monkey and the hanging on the tree

Learning about Horizon line, Foreground, Middle ground and Background

 Discussing overlapping