You Choose! Introduction
You Choose! is a short series of activities that personalizes art by first allowing students to explore and select artwork that appeals to them. After the students have selected artwork that they like, they are ready to do the activities. There are three different activities which provide learners with a chance to interpret and create art. You might want to look at this list of questions from Eyes on Art and see if these can guide your students.

Monitor Museum
The Monitor Museum is the most simple of the activities. To begin, students browse a selection of small, thumbnail paintings. They can click on the thumbnails to see larger versions. They can get rid of the thumbnails by clicking the small square in the upper left corner of the artwork on Macs, or the "X" in the upper right corner on PCs. Either of the browser windows can be placed "on top" by clicking on the desired window once.

After students find the painting that they like the best, they leave the artwork on the monitor to share with others. They can make up stories about the artwork, explain why the artwork appeals to them, or describe how it makes them feel. note: You may need to help them get rid of windows on the desktop. This can be done by clicking on the undesired window and then clicking the small square in the upper left corner of the artwork on Macs, or the "X" in the upper right corner on PCs.

This activity relates to the following California Visual Arts Content Standards :

1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION: processing, analyzing, and responding to sensory information through the language and skills unique to the Visual Arts. This is accomplished by:

• 1.1) discussion of visual and tactile perceptions (what is seen and how objects feel)
• 1.2) identify colors by name
• 1.3) name and describe objects by color and relative size.

4.0 AESTHETIC VALUING: responding to, analyzing, and making judgments about works in the Visual Arts according to the elements of art, the principles of design, and aesthetic qualities. This is accomplished by:

• 4.1) Discuss what is seen in works of art.
• 4.2) Ask questions about works of art.
• 4.4) Select works of art by others and tell what they like about them.

Imitate the Masters
Permits students to learn about styles by attempting to duplicate them. To begin, students browse a selection of small, thumbnail paintings. They can click on the thumbnails to see larger versions. They can get rid of the thumbnails by clicking the small square in the upper left corner of the artwork on Macs, or the "X" in the upper right corner on PCs. Either of the browser windows can be placed "on top" by clicking on the desired window once.

After students find the painting that they like the best, print it. Lighten or darken the copy until it is suitable for coloring. You can leave the colored version of the artwork on the monitor to use as a reference. The emphasis is on reproducing the art style with less concern towards reproducing the original painting.

Discuss what it felt like to work in that style. As an alternative or second project, allow students to try the same style on a subject of their own choosing. You may want to practice different styles first without any subject. note:You may need to help them get rid of windows on the desktop. This can be done by clicking on the undesired window and then clicking the small square in the upper left corner of the artwork on Macs, or the "X" in the upper right corner on PCs.

Swapping Styles
Permits students to take the study of styles one step further. Students will select a painting AND a style that they like. To begin, students browse a selection of small, thumbnail paintings. They can click on the thumbnails to see larger versions. They can get rid of the thumbnails by clicking the small square in the upper left corner of the artwork on Macs, or the "X" in the upper right corner on PCs. Either of the browser windows can be placed "on top" by clicking on the desired window once.

After students find the painting that they like the best, print it. Lighten or darken the copy until it is suitable for coloring. You can leave the colored version of the artwork and the new style on the monitor as a reference. Switch back and forth between the two windows by clicking on them. The emphasis is on using a different style on the painting.

Discuss the effect that the new style has on the painting that they chose. How is it different from the original? Do they like it better or do they prefer the original? Why? note:You may need to help them get rid of windows on the desktop. This can be done by clicking on the undesired window and then clicking the small square in the upper left corner of the artwork on Macs, or the "X" in the upper right corner on PCs.

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