Grades/Level: Lower Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5)
Subjects: Visual Arts, English–Language Arts
Time Required: Short Activity
20 minutes
Author: J. Paul Getty Museum Education Staff

Activity Overview

Students create an image based on something they saw during their visit to the Getty Museum. They then compose short messages to friends.

Learning Objectives

Students take a moment to reflect on their Getty Museum visit and express what aspect of the visit was most memorable to them. Other students benefit from discussing the collective memories of the group.

Materials

Activity Steps

1. Download the "Send a Postcard" template. If possible, print or photocopy the template onto thick paper or card stock. Make enough copies for every student. Have students each cut out the postcard template out of the larger piece of paper.

2. Have students reflect on their visit to the Getty Museum and write down answers to the following questions on a piece of paper:

  • What was the most memorable thing you saw? Use this memory to inspire the work of art for the front of your postcard.
  • Who do you want to write to about your trip to the Getty?
  • What do you want to tell that person about your visit?

3. Each student can draw an image of the most memorable thing he or she saw at the Getty Museum on the blank side of his or her postcards.

4. Each student should write the name and address, if known, of the person to whom he or she is writing the lines of the postcard.

5. Students should write two to three sentences about their visit using complete sentences and descriptive words. You may wish to have them compose their messages on a separate piece of paper before writing on their postcards.

6. Discuss responses as a larger group. Ask students follow-up questions such as:

  • What were some similarities in experiences and memories?
  • What were some differences?
  • Are there any must-see works of art they would recommend to family or friends visiting the Getty Museum for the first time?

7. When postcards are complete, display them in the classroom.