Frida Kahlo
K – 5 Lesson Plan
Art Objective:
The student will be able to visually share the difference between their physical and
emotional self through art.
Theme of Power Point:
Inside vs. Outside Self
Frida's identity to Mexican culture
Impact of her injury on both physical and emotional self.
Artist Quote:
“I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality.”
-Frida Kahlo
Time Line:
1. Classroom Preparation: 5 minutes
2. Presentation:
 Reading book: 5 minutes
 Power point: 15 minutes
3. Project :
 Discussion of project: 5 minutes
 Project : 25 minutes
4. Clean-up: 5-10 minutes
Concerns: Some of Mrs. Kahlo's paintings are provocative. We have been careful to
provide the volunteer with art appropriate for young children in this classroom setting. Frida
is very passionate about displaying her emotions through her paintings.
Orientation (Portrait vs. Landscape): You may want to draw the differences of these
on a chalkboard for the children. Up and down versus side to side. This will be helpful when
explaining which way to place their paper or transparency.
Portraits: Please encourage children during this process. Young kids are often critical
of their ability to draw a “perfect” resemblance of themselves.
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Skills:
Experiment with watercolor paint, drawing self-portrait with dry erase crayon
Carnegie Picture Lab 2013
PO BOX 3223, WALLA WALLA, WA. 99362
WWW.CARNEGIEPICTURELAB>COM
Frida Kahlo Lesson Plan-1
Materials:
CPL Supplies:
 Watercolor (liquid) paints: yellow, blue, green and red – 1 set per 2 students
 Watercolor paper - 1 per student
 Watercolor brush – 1 per student
 Clear Transparency Paper - 1 per student
 Dry Erase Crayons – 1 set per 2 students
 Stapler x 2
 Extra Staples
 Wipes
 Paper Towel
 Plastic Containers for Watercolor Paints and water
 Pipettes- 1 per paint color(for grades 2+)
 CPL green plug sheets
Classroom Supplies:
 Pencil and classroom stapler
Step 1: Art Project Preparation: 5 minutes
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Mark a space to set watercolor paintings to dry temporarily.
1 piece of paper per student with taped green plug sheet on one side.
Fill plastic containers with paint. Paint should just cover the bottom of the dish.
1 set of colors per two students.
Fill plastic containers with water. One water dish per set of colors.
1 brush per student.
1 paper towel per student.
Put aside Transparency Paper and crayons for later use.
Step 2: Classroom Presentation: 20 minutes
Read Frida, by Jonah Winter -This book is extremely helpful.
Access powerpoint from provided zip drive or CPL website.
Please see Theme of powerpoint on the first page of this lesson plan to help with your
delivery.
Step 3: Art Project 30 minutes :
Discussion Points to have with Students:
Inside Self vs. Outside Self
“She paints what she sees in her heart-on top of what she sees with her eyes.”
What do you think about or dream about?
What are your interests or hobbies?
Remember: What Frida added to her paintings to tell you about her?
Carnegie Picture Lab 2013
PO BOX 3223, WALLA WALLA, WA. 99362
WWW.CARNEGIEPICTURELAB>COM
Frida Kahlo Lesson Plan-2
Instructions:
1. Put your name on the side with the green sheet then turn paper over.
2. Place your water color paper in a Landscape Orientation. Use visual aid on chalk board.
3. Paint inside self with water color paint: 10 minutes
4. Common questions asked:
5. Q. What should we draw?
A. What ever you want. Shapes, things, movement....
6. Q. Can I start over?
A. No. Add to what you've started. It's awesome!
7. Collect Watercolor paint materials. Have students take painting to drying area.
8. Distribute Dry Erase Crayons, clear paper and mirrors.
9. Place your Clear Paper in a Portrait Orientation.
10. Explain basic proportions:
Draw an example on the board using lines and egg shape. Keep it simple.
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Eyes: half way between top of head and bottom of chin.
Nose: half way between eyes and chin.
Mouth: half way between bottom of nose and chin.
Ears: extend from the top of the eye to the bottom of the nose.
11. Paint Outside Self with Dry Erase Crayons: 10 minutes.
*Encourage the students here
They will be critical of their picture.
You can erase the crayon by rubbing the clear film with your finger.
Completing the project:
1. Have student collect both their water color painting and portrait.
2. Using stapler. Staple portrait to watercolor paper in four corners connecting the two
pieces of art.
3. The completed project will stand up on it's own.
4. Project from a bird's eye view:
Carnegie Picture Lab 2013
PO BOX 3223, WALLA WALLA, WA. 99362
WWW.CARNEGIEPICTURELAB>COM
Frida Kahlo Lesson Plan-3
Step 4: CLEAN-UP:
 Students can help by putting away their crayons and cleaning up their workspace.
 Wipe down desks/tables
 wash out brushes
 empty water color containers and wash out
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PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR SCHOOL’S ADVOCATE IF YOU ARE LOW ON ANY SUPPLIES.
Support Materials:
Donated books for each school’s library including the public library:
1. Me, Frida by Amy Novesky
2. Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Paintes Herself (Smart About Art) by Margret Frith
3. Frida by Jonah Winter (Spanish and English versions)
Posters included in the materials:
1. Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait With Monkeys 1943
2. Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)
3. The Two Fridas 1939
Carnegie Picture Lab 2013
PO BOX 3223, WALLA WALLA, WA. 99362
WWW.CARNEGIEPICTURELAB>COM
Frida Kahlo Lesson Plan-4