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Divide the class into groups of four or five. Have them discuss art that depicts war and think about its value as a teacher of the emotional aspects of war. Have them discuss the differences between paintings and photographs and why both have value.

Have students listen to the Additional Clip “Roméo Dallaire as artistic muse” on Witness to Evil: Roméo Dallaire and Rwanda on the CBC Digital Archives website. Then direct them to the Canadian Art Database at www.ccca.ca where they should search for the artist Gertrude Kearns and view (on page 6 of her site) four of her paintings of Roméo Dallaire: Urgent, Let’s Play Cricket, Dallaire #6, and Mission: Camouflage.

Once these have been observed, students can do one of the following activities:

1. Create a storyboard that outlines the helplessness and terror experienced by General Dallaire during the Rwandan genocide as conveyed through the four paintings.
2. Write a letter to Gertrude Kearns expressing how they felt viewing her paintings.
3. Write a journal entry from the perspective of General Dallaire expressing how he might have felt during the time referred to in any one of the four paintings.
4. Write a poem to express their reaction to the paintings.

Assessment Tip
Have students followed conventions typical to the format they have chosen? Does student work reflect a thoughtful response to the art works?

Once the activities have been completed, have the students return to their small groups and share their creations with their peers. Have each group select one item for presentation to the class.

Students can respond to the art samples through writing, music, an art work, or a dance movement.