What a lovely theme for a homeschool day! đ¨ National Grandma Moses Day on September 7 is a perfect opportunity to dive into art, history, and inspiration. Grandma Moses, born Anna Mary Robertson Moses, was a self-taught folk artist who began painting in her late 70s and became a beloved American icon. Here’s a rich and engaging lesson plan idea to celebrate her legacy:
Homeschool Lesson: National Grandma Moses Day (Grades 4â6)
Learning Objectives
- Understand the life and legacy of Grandma Moses
- Explore folk art and its cultural significance
- Practice narrative and expository writing
- Create art inspired by Grandma Mosesâs style
Part 1: Biography & Reading Comprehension
Start with a high-interest article about Grandma Mosesâs life. You can find a ready-made resource with reading passages, comprehension questions, and writing prompts on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Activities:
- Read a short biography on Grandma Moses
- Answer multiple-choice and open-ended questions from the book your students read
- Discuss what it means to start something new later in life
Part 2: Artist Study & Creative Expression
Use this artist study guide to explore her artwork and techniques from Grandma Moses.
Activities:
- Study 1â2 paintings (e.g., The Oaks, Old Bridge in the Valley)
- Discuss elements like perspective, foreground/background
- Create your own folk art scene using crayons, watercolors, or collage
Part 3: Writing Prompts
Choose between narrative or expository writing:
- Narrative: Imagine youâre living in a Grandma Moses paintingâdescribe your day.
- Expository: Explain why Grandma Moses is considered a folk art icon.
Bonus Activities
- Word search with Grandma Mosesârelated terms
- Coloring sheet based on her artwork
- Create a mini poster for your homeschool bulletin board showcasing Grandma Moses
Homeschool Lesson: National Grandma Moses Day
Objectives
- Learn about Grandma Mosesâs life and artistic legacy
- Explore folk art and its cultural significance
- Practice reading comprehension and creative writing
- Create art inspired by her style
Part 1: Who Was Grandma Moses?
Start with a short biography and discussion:
- Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses) was a self-taught artist who began painting at age 77.
- Her work depicts rural American life with charm and simplicity.
- She lived to be 101 and painted over 1,500 pieces!
Use this Teachers Pay Teachers resource:
- Two-page article at a 4thâ5th grade reading level
- Comprehension questions (multiple choice + open-ended)
- Word search, coloring sheet, mini poster
- Narrative and expository writing prompts
Part 2: Artist Study & Art Project
Explore her paintings like The Oaks, Old Bridge in the Valley, or We Have a Turkey.
Use this artist study guide:
- Weekly focus on one painting
- Discuss elements like horizon line, foreground, and background
- Create your own folk art scene using crayons, watercolors, or collage
Part 3: Writing Prompts
Choose one or both:
- Narrative: Imagine stepping into a Grandma Moses painting. What do you see, hear, and feel?
- Expository: Why is Grandma Moses considered a folk art icon? What can we learn from her story?
Bonus Ideas
- Create a timeline of her life
- Compare her work to other folk artists
- Host a mini âgallery walkâ at home with student artwork
I have a question for you Would you like me to adapt this Lesson Plan for younger learners or add a science or math tie-in? If so leave me a comment below because Iâve got plenty of ideas up my sleeve I would be happy to share with you.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
