There is no better way to get to know a painting than to act it out. This dramatic activity is exactly that. I assign a painting to a group of students - "American Gothic" by Grant Wood is one of my favorite ones to use. I have 3 students act this painting out - one for each character in the painting and one to be the director. I begin by giving the group some context for their painting - what was happening in the world/area during the time which this painting was made. I then challenge the group to spend some time really looking at their painting, doing a close reading of their painting. What does the facial expression of their character indicate? What's in the background? Where are they? What are they doing? How are they feeling? What did they just say to each other? What will they say to each other in the next moments? After 10 minutes of close reading and discussion, the group presents a dialogue to the class as if the characters in the painting have come alive. This is a very spontaneous and improvisational activity. Sometimes the characters act in ways that the students didn't plan - oftentimes the pitchfork i this painting becomes a weapon of sorts. After a short presentation the students swap roles and bring the painting to life again until everyone has experienced every role.