Artist profile
Henri Rousseau 1844–1910 · Naïve / Post-Impressionism
Henri Rousseau (1844–1910) was part of Naïve / Post-Impressionism — a self-taught style full of bright colour and simple, dreamlike shapes. Their most famous work is Tiger in a Tropical Storm.
A gentle note
Henri Rousseau's work fits animals, weather, nature better than "present simple". Try one of those focuses, or pick another artist from the gallery.
Set the room
Shape the lesson
The painting adapts to your focus — chosen now: The Sleeping Gypsy .
CEFR level B1 B2 C1 C2
Language focus Pick one thing your students will actually walk out able to do.
Grammar Vocabulary Function
have got / has got (A1–A2) articles a / an / the (A1–B1) plural nouns (-s) (A1–A2) possessive 's (A1–B1) subject & object pronouns (A1–B1) can / can't for ability, offers, requests, possibility (A1–B1) imperatives (affirmative & negative) (A1–B1) this / that / these / those (demonstratives) (A1–B1) coordinating conjunctions: and / but / or (A1–B1) how much / how many (A1–B1) like + noun / like + -ing (A1–B1) because — giving reasons (A1–B1) past simple 'was / were' (A1–A2) future 'will' — plans & intentions (affirmative) (A1–A2) indefinite pronouns: something / someone / anything … (A1–B1) past simple (regular & irregular) — affirmative, negative, questions (A2–B1) past continuous (A2–B1) past simple vs past continuous (A2–B2) will for predictions, offers, requests & willingness (A2–B2) adverbs of manner (-ly) (A2–B2) countable & uncountable nouns + quantifiers (A2–B1) some / any / no / every compounds (A2–B2) much / many / a lot of / a little / a few (A2–B1) have to / don't have to (obligation & absence of obligation) (A2–B1) must / mustn't (obligation & prohibition) (A2–B2) should / shouldn't for advice & suggestions (A2–B2) may / might — permission & possibility (A2–B2) shall for offers & suggestions (A2–B2) could — ability, requests & suggestions (A2–B2) will be able to (future ability) (A2–B1) present perfect with ever / never / just / already / yet (A2–B2) first / then / next / finally (sequencers) (A2–B1) infinitive of purpose (to + verb) (A2–B2) verb + -ing (like / love / hate / enjoy + -ing) (A2–B2) verb + to-infinitive (want / need / decide + to …) (A2–B2) would like / would prefer / would love (A2–B2) reported statements with say / tell (basic) (A2–B1) past simple passive (basic) (A2–B1) reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself …) (A2–B2) possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, hers …) (A2–B2) 'look forward to' + -ing (A2–B2) Duration 30 min 45 min 60 min 90 min
Optional finish End with an art response (students make their own) Learners create their own artwork inspired by the painting's style, subject or mood — and use the target language while planning, labelling and presenting it.
Paint my lesson A complete lesson, painted around The Sleeping Gypsy.
