Wall label
The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit John Singer Sargent, 1856–1925 · 1882
Four American sisters in a large Paris apartment. The youngest sits on the carpet with her doll; the oldest stands half-hidden by a tall Japanese vase.
Why it's great for language
Four children of different ages in one big room — natural for 'who is who?', prepositions, and 'there is/are' at A1.
A gentle note
John Singer Sargent's work fits describing people, feelings, family vocabulary 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 Daughters of Edward Darley Boit .
CEFR level A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
Language focus Pick one thing your students will actually walk out able to do.
Grammar Vocabulary Function
to be (am / is / are) — affirmative, negative, questions (A1–A2) have got / has got (A1–A2) articles a / an / the (A1–B1) plural nouns (-s) (A1–A2) possessive 's (A1–B1) possessive adjectives (my / your / his / her …) (A1–A2) subject & object pronouns (A1–B1) there is / there are (A1–B1) can / can't for ability, offers, requests, possibility (A1–B1) prepositions of place (A1–B1) prepositions of time (at / in / on) (A1–B1) imperatives (affirmative & negative) (A1–B1) this / that / these / those (demonstratives) (A1–B1) common adjectives — position & word order (A1–A2) coordinating conjunctions: and / but / or (A1–B1) wh- questions (what / where / who / when / why) (A1–B1) how much / how many (A1–B1) like + noun / like + -ing (A1–B1) because — giving reasons (A1–B1) future 'will' — plans & intentions (affirmative) (A1–A2) 'very' as a modifier (with adjectives & adverbs) (A1–A2) indefinite pronouns: something / someone / anything … (A1–B1) past simple (regular & irregular) — affirmative, negative, questions (A2–B1) will for predictions, offers, requests & willingness (A2–B2) comparatives (-er / more … than) (A2–B1) superlatives (-est / the most; 'the best in/of') (A2–B1) (not) as … as (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) shall for offers & suggestions (A2–B2) will be able to (future ability) (A2–B1) present perfect with ever / never / just / already / yet (A2–B2) too & enough (with adjectives) (A2–B1) 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) defining relative clauses with who / which / that (A2–B2) question tags — introduction (A2–B2) reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself …) (A2–B2) possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, hers …) (A2–B2) 'be' + adjective + that-clause (I'm sure that …) (A2–B1) '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.
Make it yours One thing about your class — and the lesson will feel built for them.
Optional — but teachers who add this say the lesson lands better.
Paint my lesson A complete lesson, painted around The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit.
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