Title: The Gulf Stream

Teacher: DSilva/Metzger
Grade: 3
Subject: Writing

Content Standard(s): Fine Arts Standard(s):

ELAGSE3W3: Write narratives to develop real VA3AR.2 Uses a variety of approaches to

or imagined experiences or events using understand and critique works of art.
effective techniques, descriptive details,
and clear event sequences.

Lesson Process:

1. Read and discuss learning targets for the lesson (We Can statements). Introduce objective for
lesson to use Feldmans Model of Art Criticism to help us plan and organize an imagined
narrative.
2. Using PowerPoint, introduce artist Winslow Homer and the title of his painting. Display painting and
allow students to observe for a minute. Preview the four steps of Feldmans Model of Art Criticism.
3. Display first step of Feldmans Model: Describe. Ask students, What do you see? Students will
share observations. If students start to make comments about what they think is going on in the
painting, make sure to redirect students to focus only on what they see, not what they think the
painting is about.
4. Display second step of Feldmans Model: Analyze. Ask students, What is the focal point of the
artwork? Discuss meaning of focal point as the part of the painting that your eyes are drawn to
first. Ask students, Which part of the painting do you think the artist is trying to get you to notice
first?
5. Display third step of Feldmans Model: Interpret. Ask students, What do you think the artist is trying
to show? Explain to students that now that they have examined the details of the painting, this is
the point where they can discuss what they think the painting is about.
6. Display fourth step of Feldmans Model: Evaluate. Ask students, Do you like this painting? Why or
Why not? Students will share their opinions but must use evidence to provide reasons for their
opinions. Make sure that at least one student who likes the painting and one student who does not
like the painting shares their opinions.
7. Introduce activity: students will be planning their imagined narrative based on The Gulf Stream. Ask
students to think about what happened before the scene of the painting, what is happening
during the scene, and what happened after the scene of the painting. Students will use the
Narrative Graphic Organizer to plan the beginning, middle, and end of their narrative. They will
draw a picture for each part of the narrative and write a few key words or sentences to describe
each part.
8. Conference with small groups or individual students to offer additional support as the rest of the
class is planning their narratives.

Materials: Key Words/Vocabulary:

Imagined narrative
The Gulf Stream PowerPoint Describe
Narrative Graphic Organizer
Analyze
Feldmans Model of Art Criticism anchor chart
Interpret
Evaluate
Focal point