Frida Kahlo - Expressing Ourselves through Art

Updated: Sep 2

Grade Level: 3–5

Duration of video: 27 minutes

Themes: Resilience, Breaking Barriers, Female Empowerment, Self-Expression & Identity

Lesson Overview:

"The Story of Artist Frida Kahlo" by Lillian Gray is an educational video exploring the life, challenges, and artistic legacy of Frida Kahlo, one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. In a time when most famous artists were men, she broke barriers, fearlessly painting taboo topics like pain, femininity, and personal struggles. The video highlights how her experiences—overcoming illness and a near-fatal accident—shaped her art, allowing her to express her identity, suffering, and cultural heritage. Through bold self-expression, she became one of the most famous female artists of all time, paving the way for women in art.

Objective:

Students will learn about Frida Kahlo as an artist and how she used her paintings to express her feelings and identity.
Students will discuss the importance of self-expression and create their own self-portrait inspired by Kahlo’s work.
Students will explore Mexican culture through Kahlo’s art.

Materials:

Images of Frida Kahlo’s artwork: teachers can click on the name of each portrait for direct, easy to access classroom use. If printing is unavailable teachers can display on their classroom SMARTBOARD.
Drawing paper or card stock
Colored pencils, markers, crayons, or watercolors
Mirrors (optional, for students to observe themselves while drawing)
Whiteboard and markers

Introduction to Frida Kahlo (10-15 minutes)

Begin with a question:

"Have you ever painted or drawn a picture to show how you feel?"
"What do you think an artist can tell us about themselves through their artwork?"

Introduce Frida Kahlo:

Show her picture and briefly explain:
- She was a famous Mexican artist who painted self-portraits (pictures of herself).
- She had many challenges in her life (illness, a serious accident) but kept painting.
- She loved bright colors, nature, animals, and Mexican culture.

Watch the video:

Show students some of her paintings and discuss:

What do you notice? (colors, animals, clothing, emotions)
How do you think Frida was feeling when she painted this?

Self-Portrait Art Activity (20-25 minutes)

Explain: "Frida painted herself because she wanted to show who she was. Today, we will make our own self-portraits to show something special about us!"

-Give students mirrors (optional) and have them look at their faces.

Ask:

What makes you special?
What are your favorite colors, animals, or things you want to add to your self-portrait?
How do you feel today? Can you show that feeling in your drawing?

Students draw and color their self-portraits. Encourage them to include:

Bright colors like Frida’s art
Nature or animals if they want (Frida loved animals in her portraits!)
A background that shows something important to them.

3. Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes)

Students share their self-portraits with the class.
Ask:
- "What do you like about your drawing?"
- "How does it show who you are?"
- "Why do you think Frida painted so many pictures of herself?"

Conclusion (5 minutes)

Summarize: "Frida Kahlo painted to tell her story. Art helps us express our feelings and who we are!"
Show one more piece of Kahlo’s artwork (see materials if needed) any and ask:
- "What do you think Frida was telling us in this painting?"
Optional: Display students’ self-portraits on a "Our Frida-Inspired Art" bulletin board!

Extension/Challenge/Early Finishers/Differentiation/Assessment:

Students write a short paragraph about their portrait: "This is me. I drew myself with ___ because
Completion of self-portrait
Ability to explain their drawing
Participation in discussion