Teacher Tips

Washington, D.C.

The National Gallery of Art

March 2005 

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Exhibition

1.  Making connections

• Have students read different versions of Aesop's fable, Town Mouse, Country Mouse and see how they relate to this book.

• how does the Country Mouse in this book help set the stage?

• what else does the Country Mouse do throughout this book?

2.  Compare and Contrast

• Have students compare life in the city with life in the country

• Have them write their own comparisons like:  City Policeman, Country Policeman

3.  Artist Study

• Have students do an artist study of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent van Gogh--start with reading the last page of this book

• Find all of the art in this book done by these 2 artists

4.  Appreciating Differences

• Have students compare the differences of the 2 artist dogs who are best friends

• how are they (the students different from their friends?

• How to the dogs resolve their differences?

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5.  Learn a little French!

     Point out the French words that are on each page.  Study their meanings  Practice saying the words by using the pronunciation guide,

6.  Letter Writing

• Study the postcards that Vincent and Henry send to each other

• Have students write a postcard to a friend or relative telling what they like best about where they live