Materials
Print of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers"
Vase with real or artificial sunflowers
Construction paper in pastel colors
Pencils
Tempera paint and brushes, crayons, or oil pastels
Felt-tip pens
Instructions
1. Invite the children to observe a print of Van Gogh's still-life painting and the vase of sunflowers.
Explain what a still-life drawing or painting is.
2. Provide each child with a piece of construction paper. Ask the children to sketch the sunflowers,
filling up as much of the paper as possible.
3. When the children have finished their sketches, have them paint or color the flowers, stems,
leaves, and the vase. If oil pastels are provided, encourage the children to press hard for vibrant
color.
4. Allow the paintings to dry.
5. When the paint has dried, help the children outline their flowers with felt-tip pens.
More to do
Gardening: Plant sunflowers in the spring and harvest them in the fall.
Math: Measure and/or photograph the children standing next to a full-grown sunflower. Ask
them to compare their height with the flower's height.
Science: Examine the seed pods in the center of the sunflower seeds.
Snack: Eat sunflower seeds for a snack (older children only).
