Anybody who knows or works with young kiddos knows they are just as filled with complex emotions as the rest of us! This project presents one of many approaches we as parents, teachers, and caretakers can use to reinforce the idea that big feelings are a natural and normal part of the human experience. This fantastic art unit for kids ages 4-8 illustrates how Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (best known for his work, “The Scream”) used art to express his big feelings. These Edvard Munch teaching resources and lesson plans expose kids to several of Munch’s kid-friendly artworks, explore how feelings can be expressed through color, and help you, as facilitator, feel confident about exactly how to connect all this to a super fun, hands-on painting project.
In addition to a detailed overview of our art unit, below you’ll find a generous collection of supplemental resources that’ll have you feeling and sounding like an absolute authority on all things Munch-related in no time!
Keep scrolling for:
- 15 Munch-Related Fun Facts
- Common Questions Kids Ask About Edvard Munch
- Picture Books to go Along with Edvard Munch Art Projects
- Informational Books about Edvard Munch
- Informational Videos about Edvard Munch
- An overview with photos and screenshots of the
- Free Printable Munch Quote Poster
Famous Artist Facts
15 Fun Facts about Edvard Munch for Kids
- One of Munch’s most well known works is commonly known as “The Scream” but the actual title Munch gave it is “Der Schrei der Natur.”
- The man in Munch’s “The Scream” inspired characters such as Ghostface and the scream emoji.
- Munch was born on December 12, 1863 in Norway, and passed away on January 23, 1944.
- Hans Jæger helped Munch develop his style by encouraging Munch to paint his emotional state.
- Although it may not look that way in English, Munch is actually pronounced “Moonk”. (Listen to this quick audio file to hear how to pronounce Edvard Munch.)
- Munch said he was inspired to paint “The Scream” when he “heard the enormous, infinite scream of nature” while on a sunset walk.
- Munch was an early critic of photography as an art form, claiming it could never compete with painting.
- Munch was formally made a Knight of the Royal Order of St. Olav “for services in art.”
- Munch’s art style focuses on painting to evoke emotions and feelings, which is known as “expressionism.”
- Munch actually created 4 different versions of “The Scream.”
- One version of Munch’s “The Scream” sold for almost $120 million in 2012!
- When Munch died, he gave all of his remaining works to the city of Oslo, which then built the Munch Museum which is named after him!
- After his breakdown in 1908, Munch’s art became more much more positive and extroverted.
- At age 16, Munch was originally going to school to be an engineer!
- In 1916 Munch bought a former plant nursery called the Ekely Estate, and lived there for the next 28 years!
Common Questions Kids Ask About Edvard Munch
Where did Edvard Munch live? Edvard Munch was born in Adalsbruk, Norway. He lived in Berlin, Paris and then settled back in Oslo, Norway.
Is Edvard Munch still alive? No, Edvard Munch died January 23, 1944, near Oslo, Norway.
What style of art did Edvard Munch create? He was an Expressionist painter. Many people consider him to be one of the forerunners of Expressionism. His works of art depict emotions like jealousy, despair, and melancholy.
What are Edvard Munch’s most popular works of art? The Scream (All four different versions)
Picture Books to go Along with Edvard Munch Art Projects
In the Munch Unit from Kids Art Projects 101 I encourage kids to reflect on a range of feelings, observe their own facial expressions and show feelings through art. These picture books about feelings can be a helpful supplement to the unit.
The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas
Kids will love the colorful pop ups in this book while they learn about common emotions and how to identify them. {Full book details here.}
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
Explore the feeling our hearts can feel in this journey through emotional development. {Full book details here.}
The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
Learn about feelings and how they’re something to be cherished rather than hidden in this cute story. {Full book details here.}
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
This brightly colored book illustrates the wide array of emotion we all feel, no matter how silly! {Full book details here.}
Books About Edvard Munch
The following books are specifically related to Edvard Munch and can supplement the facts and information provided in the digital presentations that is part of the Munch Art Unit from Kids Art Projects 101.
Edvard Munch (Art Profiles for Kids) by Jim Whiting
This book is a great look into Munch, his life, and his art. See how he became one of very few artists to have a whole museum dedicated to him! {Full book details here.}
Artist You Should Know: Profiles for Kids by Sam Simon and KidLit-O
This book has six short profiles of six famous artists, including Edvard Munch. It is a great resources to have on hand as you learn about various artists throughout the year! {Full book details here.}
The Little Paintbrush by Bjørn F. Rørvik (Author) and Thore Hansen (Illustrator)
This is a story of a little paintbrush who saves his owner’s art, and that owner is Edvard Munch! Together they go on to create one of the most famous works of art ever known! {Full book details here.}
Learn More About Edvard Munch with these YouTube Videos
Edvard Munch: The Life of an Artist by Art History School
This video follows the life of Edvard Munch from his birth to his death, and discusses many of his most famous works. {See it on YouTube.}
How Edvard Munch’s The Scream Became an Icon by Sotheby’s
Follow along the journey and learn how Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” became the iconic piece of art is it today. {See it on YouTube.}
Field Trip to the Museum to Learn About Edvard Munch by Art with Ms. Westfall
Take a virtual trip with Ms. Westfall to an art museum to learn about Edvard Munch! {See it on YouTube.}
Munch Unit for K-2 Art Students
The Munch Unit is a project-based study of Edvard Munch that introduces young artists to Munch’s use of color and showing feelings through art.
Inside the unit you’ll find a 23-page unit guide full of information and tips for teaching this series of art lessons to students in preschool through grade 2.
The unit is broken down into three 40-minute sessions.
For each session there is a guided presentation that has already been prepared for you and can be used via Google Slides or PowerPoint. The presentation also introduces and guides you through completion of a studio project and follow-up activity.
The hands-on studio component of this unit invites young artists to apply, mix and spread tempera paint with old, used plastic gift cards and/or void credit cards.
They’ll also embellish their expressive images with oil pastels.
They’ll use color and facial expression to illustrate a big feeling.
The 101-page combined PDF and Google Slides full resource includes:
- An original digital storybook designed to expose students to famous artworks and details about Edvard Munch
- Face exercises (emphasizing physical engagement)
- A printable “Showing Feelings” activity
- A literacy connection to My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
- A look at Munch’s use of color
- A digital step-by-step studio project guide with clear directions, supply lists, and work sample photos
- A printable studio project follow-up activity
- Early finisher suggestions
- A digital lesson review
- A printable self-assessment
Munch Unit Teaching Tips Video
The Famous Artists units are designed to be open-and-go, but if you are the kind of teacher who likes to dig a little deeper, we’ve also created video tutorials for each of the units. In each video I share helpful tips that I’ve learned along the way as I use these units in my own elementary art classroom. These are currently available only to members of the Kids Art Projects 101 program. Learn more about becoming a member here.
Free Printable Munch Quote Poster
I’m sharing a free printable quote poster to go with each of the famous artist units. These can be used as a way to connect art and literacy and inspire discussions about the meaning or significance of each artist’s quote.
The free printable includes a color option that can be placed on display in the art room as decor throughout the year or added to a student work showcase bulletin board.
There is also a black and white version that kids can use as an optional coloring page.
Get the Free Printable Munch Quote Poster
Are you a Kids Art Projects 101 member? Download your printable quote poster here.
