Book Summary
Two Artists: Vermeer's Forger tells the story of a young child, Han Van Meegeren, and his desire to spend his life as an artist. Van Meegeren goes to school to become an architect and designs a few buildings; however, he realizes he still loves painting, so he quits to study art. He becomes frustrated early on because critics say he has no talent. To get back at them, he decides to take on a famous painter's style and forge his paintings. Even though he works very hard and becomes very rich, his dishonesty does not pay off in the end. Illustrations support the text.

About the Lesson

Targeted Reading Strategy

• Summarize

Objectives

• Use the reading strategy of summarizing to understand text
• Understand and identify cause-and-effect relationships
• Identify and use commas after introductory words
• Identify suffixes within the text

Materials

• Book -- Two Artists: Vermeer's Forger (copy for each student)
• Chalkboard or dry erase board
• Cause and effect, summarize, commas, suffixes worksheets
• Discussion cards

      Indicates an opportunity for students to mark in the book. (All activities may be demonstrated by projecting book on interactive whiteboard or completed with paper and pencil if books are reused.)

Vocabulary

• Content words: convincing, critics, embarrass, forgery, genius, masters, national treasure, style, talent, technique, varnish