Starry Night
Star gazing activity
Month 7 · Activity 23 · Nature/Science
Instructions
- Find a picture of the painting "The Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh (internet or library)
- Ask child to describe what he sees in the picture
- Go outside at night and start counting the stars. You could probably see around 2,000 stars but there are millions in the sky
- Explain that the stars are always there but during the day it is too bright to see them
Simplify
Help the child to say the painter's name - Vincent van Gogh. Explain that he was a famous painter who lived in the 1800's - over 100 years ago - in a country called Holland or the Netherlands. He sold only one painting but his paintings now are very famous. Find the country of Holland/Netherlands on a map or globe. Encourage a child to draw his own starry night picture.
Extend
Help the child to describe what the night sky looks like in "The Starry Night" painting: the town and the church and it's steeple, the dark structure on the left side of the painting what that could be, how many stars are shown, etc. Look for another painting by Vincent van Gogh
QUESTIONS FOR A CHILD
What type of materials would an artist need to create a painting?
Becoming an artist takes talent and practice. What is something you want to practice so you can become better at doing?
Materials
- picture of "The Starry Night"
- clear starry night
Activity Resources
Language Skills
Math & Science Skills
Problem Solving Skills