Victorian Houses

I do this lesson with fifth grade students and have had great success and interest on their part. I introduce Victorian Houses as a style of architecture originally from the 1800's. I have collected many photographs of Victorian houses from all over the country which I share with my students. I've also used a print of Edward Hopper's House by the Railroad . We pay special attention to details like gingerbread trim, cat walks, dormer windows, cupolas, turrets, finials, iron gates, etc. The students draw in pencil from a photograph, or they can make up their own house. They outline with a sharpie and then paint the sky black. These are always a big hit around Halloween.