Impressionism in Grade 3

In their current PYP unit of inquiry, the third graders are learning how people use different forms of expression to convey their uniqueness as human beings. The third graders visited the local training center Smart Art to learn more about Impressionism.

The impressionistic style focused on depicting the feeling and sensation of different scenes, not just objects as they really are. Impressionistic work is known for bright and varied use of color, depictions of light, and outdoor and group scenes.

The Smart Art training center was set up as a small gallery featuring the works of famous artists such as Monet, Manet, Seurat, Renoir and Van Gogh. Students were led through the exhibition and introduced to each of the masters’ pieces. They learned how some of the artists had similarities in their paintings and how Impressionism evolved through time. The students had the opportunity to work in the art studio and create their own interpretation of Monet’s Water Lilies. The students applied their understandings of Impressionist painting characteristics in their own work of art. The third graders had a wonderful time learning about famous artists and also being an artist themselves.