School Tours: Art Tales: Matthew's Dream by Leo Lionni
Ages 4–6
Please note: The Gallery is no longer taking School Tour requests for fall 2009. Please check back on December 1 to begin requesting School Tours for winter and spring 2010. You can still review information about tours and planning self-guided visits by clicking on the links below.
Logistical Information | Additional Gallery Resources
Art Tales provides an engaging three-step process for exploring works of art. Children's literature is used to introduce themes in art, which students are encouraged to connect to works of art in the galleries through observation and discussion. An art activity at the end of each program helps students make hands-on connections between the themes discussed and the works observed.
Book Summary
Matthew's Dream is the story of a young mouse that visits a museum with his class. In the museum, Matthew sees all kinds of amazing paintings, particularly abstract works filled with many colors, lines, and shapes. Matthew is so inspired by these paintings that he dreams he is walking inside one of them. Eventually, he becomes a painter whose abstract works hang in the museum.
Looking and Learning Skills
Art Tales: Matthew's Dream teaches students that museums are places in which to see, discuss, and make art, and that art is composed of colors and shapes. On this tour, students:
- Become familiar with a museum setting
- Observe and describe works of art
- Look for clues in works of art
- Learn how to compare two works of art
- Imaginatively connect works of art they see to works of art they make
Group Size: Up to 30 students
Length: 45–60 minutes
Meeting Location: East Building, Entrance (inside)
Museum Policies
Student Lunches
General Information
What is object-based teaching and learning?
- NGAKids: Collage Machine (interactive art activity)