One benefit of education is the ability to integrate a variety of subjects together for a well-rounded learning experience. Two subjects that mesh especially well are art and language arts. In this post, we will look at 5 ideas for 5 ideas for integration language arts with the study of Hamblett’s “My Old Home Place.”

Inferencing

An inference is a conclusion or idea that is drawn from reasoning and evidence - or in other words, an educated guess. In the world of language arts, students are taught to take background knowledge and piece it together with clues from a text. The same concept can be applied when looking at different pictures (or pieces) of art.

Looking at Hamblett’s “My Old Home Place,” students can be challenged to make inferences about what is happening in the painting by focusing on the two people standing outside. One is holding the bridle of a horse. With this in mind, students may infer that the person holding the bridle is a visitor to the home because the other person has come outside to greet him.

This makes a great introduction to teaching the skill of inferencing with text, especially that written by the student. For example, students can look at the details and evidence presented to infer what is not being directly stated or displayed. Having them write about their inference and provide information about the evidence from the painting in their writing provides them with more in depth language arts skills.

Setting, Characters, and Plot

Beyond inferencing, students can identify elements within the painting as if the painting were telling a story. With this particular work of art, there are obvious characters and a setting; however, the plot can be left for interpretation. This is where students can use their imaginations to tell a story that they see in the painting. 

Cue the creative writing activity. Encourage students to think outside the box and to allow their imaginations to flow. As ideas begin to generate, have them write it on paper. Keep in mind that it is essential for students to first look closely at the painting to know what is actually presented, and then elaborate and think beyond what they actually see.

Sequencing

Another comprehension strategy that can be introduced with this painting is sequencing. Students typically have difficulty remembering the beginning, middle, and end of what they read. Letting them practice with visual images and use their imagination to determine what else could be taking place concerning a painting is a good way to help them develop a stronger foundation for using this as a text comprehension strategy. 

Start with a simply activity such as telling the students this is the ending (or beginning or middle) of a story. Then, have them identify what happened first, next, or last.

Illustration

It wouldn’t be art if there weren’t some type of illustration involved, right? Invite students to illustrate coordinating images for their language-arts work. For example, if they use the painting as a prompt to create a piece of writing, have them illustrate another scene. They can use thumbprints to create the repetitive dots of leaves on their own work.

Keeping in line with language arts, foreground and background are important words that can be taught. Students can be shown how to identify that the trees are in the foreground of Hamblett’s work and that the house is in the background. Then, they can recreate that in their own work.

Artist Statement

Artist statements are a great way to get a double whammy out of these lessons. After the students have written their creative pieces and created their own artwork, have them write an artist statement explaining their process for creating. This gives them two opportunities to write for the work of one creative, arts-integrated lesson!

Next time you are teaching about a famous artist, don’t forget to look for ways to incorporate other subjects!

This post was inspired by my original publication in Arts & Activities Magazine, where I have a column entitled “Art is at the Core.” You can receive a free PDF copy of this column below.