Introduce your students to Claude Monet, the artist who helped change the world of art and became one of the founders of the Impressionist movement.

In this engaging art history lesson, students will discover how Monet broke traditional artistic rules by painting outdoors, capturing changing light, weather, and colour instead of focusing on perfect details. They will learn about Impressionism, Monet’s famous garden in Giverny, and the paintings that made him one of the most beloved artists in history.

Students will explore some of Monet’s most famous works, including Impression, Sunrise, the Haystacks series, Rouen Cathedral, Water Lilies, The Japanese Bridge, and Woman with a Parasol. They will also discover how Monet painted the same subjects repeatedly to capture changing seasons, weather conditions, and times of day.

After the lesson, students will create their own Impressionist-inspired sunset painting using bright colours, loose brushstrokes, and reflections on water.

What’s Included:

• Child-friendly biography of Claude Monet
• Introduction to Impressionism
• Discussion of Monet’s life and artistic journey
• Fun facts about the artist
• Exploration of Monet’s most famous paintings
• Information about painting outdoors (plein air painting)
• Study of light, colour, and changing seasons in art
• Discussion of Monet’s famous garden at Giverny
• Analysis of the Haystacks, Rouen Cathedral, Water Lilies, and Japanese Bridge series
• Step-by-step sunset painting project
• Teacher guidance and Impressionist painting tips
• Student artwork examples
• End-of-lesson discussion questions

Art Project

Students create a colourful Impressionist sunset over water inspired by Monet’s paintings. Using acrylic paints, loose brushstrokes, colour blending, and reflections, they will learn how Impressionist artists captured light and atmosphere rather than perfect detail.

Learning Focus

• Impressionism and art history
• Colour mixing and blending
• Light and reflection
• Observational skills
• Painting techniques and brushwork
• Creative expression through colour

Perfect for primary art lessons, home education, art clubs, enrichment programmes, and studies of French art and Impressionism.

This lesson combines art history, colour theory, painting skills, and creative exploration while introducing students to one of the most influential artists of all time.