Northern Seascape, Off the Banks, 1936–37
Oil on cardboard
18 × 24 in. (45.72 × 60.96 cm)
Max E. Friedmann-Elinore Weinhold Friedmann Bequest M1954.4
Objective: Students will observe artwork and make connections to
perspective and emotion by writing a narrative from a chosen point of
view inspired by the scene.
Look: Ask students: What do you notice? What do you think is happening in
the artwork? Allow students time to think about the questions and analyze
what they see. Encourage students to think about the mood of the painting
by asking, “How does this image make you feel?” Explain that the painting
shows a stormy ocean with boats, which can represent danger and strong
emotions.
Share: Prompt students to think about if they were inside the
painting, what they might be thinking or feeling. Ask students to share
their ideas about what it would be like to be inside the storm. Further
students thinking by asking what someone on the boat might see, feel,
hear, or smell. Introduce the idea of perspective to students and that
each person on the boat can experience the same moment differently.
Explore: Students will write a short narrative from the perspective of
either the sailor on the boat, a person on the shore, or someone
swimming in the ocean. They should describe the scene in first person
and use sensory details to add more description to their writing. The
writing should clearly reflect the chosen perspective and include
descriptive language that helps the reader imagine the storm.
Standards:
W.3.1 Compose reflective, formal, and creative writing, which may
happen simultaneously or independently, for a variety of high-stakes
and low-stakes purposes.
W.3.3 Create writing that utilizes: c. Word Choice (including domain
specific): use words familiar to the student for emphasis, addition,
contrast, or order to connect categories or information, and to convey
meaning.