A man from Ghana named Amoako Boafo is very good at making pictures of people. He didn’t plan to be an artist, but now people all over the world like his art. He even had one of his pictures shown in space! Amoako is not proud and says thank you to his friends who also make art in West Africa. His pictures show black people and he uses his fingers to paint. People will pay a lot of money to own his art.

Amoako grew up in a place called Accra and he didn’t have much money. He learned to make art by himself while his mom made food for other people. He used to play tennis before someone helped him go to a school for artists. A famous artist saw Amoako’s pictures on the internet and told art places about him. Now Amoako is famous and he helps other people in his home make art too.

Right now, you can see one of Amoako’s own pictures in a place called Gallery 1957 in Accra. The person who owns the gallery says Amoako is very important, like some other famous artists. A man who helps run a big art place in London says Amoako’s pictures are special because they mix old and new ways of making art. Even though many people like his art, Amoako just loves to paint and doesn’t talk much about it.

Original news source: Amoako Boafo – the Ghanaian artist who has exhibited in space (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Sketch It
Instructions: Students are divided into pairs. One student is given a word or concept related to the article (e.g., “artist,” “gallery,” “painting”) and has to draw it without writing any words or speaking. The other student has to guess the word based on the sketch. After a correct guess, students switch roles.

– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Create a mini news report scenario where one student acts as a reporter who has just discovered Amoako Boafo’s art. The other student plays Amoako Boafo. The reporter asks questions about his journey, his art style, and his experiences, while Boafo answers. Encourage the ‘Boafo’ student to use information from the article in their responses.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary from the article (e.g., “paint,” “famous,” “gallery”) on slips of paper. Divide the class into two teams. Members of each team take turns picking a slip and drawing the word for their team to guess within a time limit. No letters or numbers can be used in the drawings.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask a question related to the article, such as, “Why do you think Amoako Boafo’s art is appreciated worldwide?” Students first think about the answer on their own, then pair up with a classmate to discuss their thoughts. Finally, each pair shares their insights with the class, fostering a discussion around Boafo’s international recognition.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Write a series of statements about art and artists on the board (e.g., “Artists should use traditional methods,” “Art can be made by anyone,” “It’s important for art to represent culture”). Students line up according to how much they agree or disagree with each statement, creating a visual spectrum of opinions. Encourage students to explain their positions and relate them to Amoako Boafo’s work.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What does Amoako Boafo like to paint in his pictures?
2. Where did Amoako grow up?
3. How did Amoako learn to make art?
4. What sport did Amoako play before he went to art school?
5. How did a famous artist help Amoako become well-known?
6. Where can you see Amoako’s art in Accra?
7. Why do people think Amoako’s pictures are special?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A man from Ghana (1)______ Amoako Boafo is very good at making pictures of (2)______. He didn’t plan to be an artist, but now people all over the world like his art. He even had one of his pictures shown in space! Amoako is not proud and (3)______ thank you to his friends who also make art in West Africa. His pictures show black people and he uses his (4)______ to paint. People will pay a lot of money to own his art.

Amoako grew up in a place called Accra and he didn’t have much money. He learned to (5)______ art by himself while his mom made food for (6)______ people. He used to play tennis before someone helped him go to a school for (7)______s. A famous artist saw Amoako’s (8)______ on the internet and told art places about him. Now Amoako is famous and he helps other people in his home make art too.

Right now, you can see one of Amoako’s own pictures in a place called Gallery 1957 in Accra. The (9)______ who owns the gallery says Amoako is very important, like some other famous artists. A man who helps run a big art place in (10)______ says Amoako’s pictures are special because they mix old and new ways of making art. Even though (11)______ people like his art, Amoako just loves to paint and doesn’t (12)______ much about it.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your favorite kind of art to look at or make? Why do you like it?
2. How would you feel if your pictures were shown in space?
3. Do you like to paint with your fingers, or do you prefer to use brushes or pencils? Why?
4. Do you think it’s important to say thank you to friends who help you? Why or why not?
5. Have you ever seen pictures that show people from where you live? What did you think about them?
6. What would you do if you suddenly became very famous for something you love to do?
7. Do you think it’s good to help other people learn to make art? Why do you think that?
8. Have you ever been to a gallery to see art? What was it like?
9. What do you think makes someone a very important artist?
10. Do you think mixing old and new ways of doing something is a good idea? Why or why not?
11. If you were an artist, would you talk a lot about your art, or would you prefer to just make it quietly? Why?
12. Do you think it’s okay to make money from your art, or should art be something you do just for fun? Why do you think that?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. artist
2. pictures
3. famous
4. money
5. art
6. paint
7. gallery
8. special

Meanings:
(a) To use colors to create a picture
(b) Images that show what something or someone looks like
(c) Someone who makes beautiful things with their hands
(d) Well-known and recognized by many people
(e) Something that people use to buy things
(f) A place where people can see and buy art
(g) Something that is unique or different from others
(h) The act of creating something beautiful or meaningful
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Where is Amoako Boafo from?
(a) Nigeria
(b) South Africa
(c) Kenya
(d) Ghana

2. How did Amoako learn to make art?
(a) From his mom
(b) At school
(c) By himself
(d) From a famous artist

3. What does Amoako use to paint?
(a) His fingers
(b) A paintbrush
(c) A pencil
(d) A computer

4. Where can you see one of Amoako’s pictures?
(a) The Louvre Museum in Paris
(b) The Tate Modern in London
(c) Gallery 1957 in Accra
(d) The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

5. What did Amoako used to play before becoming an artist?
(a) Tennis
(b) Soccer
(c) Basketball
(d) Baseball

6. How did Amoako become famous?
(a) He won an art competition
(b) He studied at a famous art school
(c) He painted a picture in space
(d) A famous artist saw his pictures on the internet

7. What does Amoako do to help other people in his home?
(a) He gives them money
(b) He teaches them how to make art
(c) He cooks food for them
(d) He plays tennis with them

8. Why are Amoako’s pictures special?
(a) They are very expensive
(b) They mix old and new ways of making art
(c) They are shown in space
(d) They are made with his fingers

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Amoako is ungrateful for his friends who also make art in West Africa.
2. One of Amoako’s pictures was shown in space, which is a very special achievement.
3. Amoako didn’t plan to be an artist, but now his art is loved by people all over the world.
4. Amoako Boafo is an artist from Ghana who is known for making pictures of people.
5. People are not willing to pay a lot of money to own Amoako’s art.
6. Amoako is now infamous and hinders other people in his home from making art as well.
7. Amoako grew up in Accra, where he didn’t have much money, but he taught himself how to make art.
8. Amoako’s paintings mainly depict white people, and he uses a brush to paint.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Where is the artist Amoako Boafo from?
2. How does Amoako Boafo make his pictures?
3. What did Amoako do before he went to art school?
4. What does the person who owns Gallery 1957 think about Amoako’s art?
5. Why do people think Amoako’s pictures are special?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What does Amoako Boafo like to paint in his pictures?
Amoako likes to paint pictures of black people and he uses his fingers to do it.

2. Where did Amoako grow up?
Amoako grew up in a place called Accra.

3. How did Amoako learn to make art?
Amoako learned to make art by himself while his mom was cooking food for other people.

4. What sport did Amoako play before he went to art school?
Amoako used to play tennis before he went to art school.

5. How did a famous artist help Amoako become well-known?
A famous artist saw Amoako’s pictures on the internet and told art places about him. That’s how he became well-known.

6. Where can you see Amoako’s art in Accra?
You can see Amoako’s art in a place called Gallery 1957 in Accra.

7. Why do people think Amoako’s pictures are special?
People think Amoako’s pictures are special because they mix old and new ways of making art.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) named
(2) people
(3) says
(4) fingers
(5) make
(6) other
(7) artist
(8) pictures
(9) person
(10) London
(11) many
(12) talk
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. artist
Answer: (c) Someone who makes beautiful things with their hands

2. pictures
Answer: (b) Images that show what something or someone looks like

3. famous
Answer: (d) Well-known and recognized by many people

4. money
Answer: (e) Something that people use to buy things

5. art
Answer: (h) The act of creating something beautiful or meaningful

6. paint
Answer: (a) To use colors to create a picture

7. gallery
Answer: (f) A place where people can see and buy art

8. special
Answer: (g) Something that is unique or different from others
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Where is Amoako Boafo from?
Answer: (d) Ghana

2. How did Amoako learn to make art?
Answer: (c) By himself

3. What does Amoako use to paint?
Answer: (a) His fingers

4. Where can you see one of Amoako’s pictures?
Answer: (c) Gallery 1957 in Accra

5. What did Amoako used to play before becoming an artist?
Answer: (a) Tennis

6. How did Amoako become famous?
Answer: (d) A famous artist saw his pictures on the internet

7. What does Amoako do to help other people in his home?
Answer: (b) He teaches them how to make art

8. Why are Amoako’s pictures special?
Answer: (b) They mix old and new ways of making art
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Amoako is ungrateful for his friends who also make art in West Africa. (Answer: False)
2. One of Amoako’s pictures was shown in space, which is a very special achievement. (Answer: True)
3. Amoako didn’t plan to be an artist, but now his art is loved by people all over the world. (Answer: True)
4. Amoako Boafo is an artist from Ghana who is known for making pictures of people. (Answer: True)
5. People are not willing to pay a lot of money to own Amoako’s art. (Answer: False)
6. Amoako is now infamous and hinders other people in his home from making art as well. (Answer: False)
7. Amoako grew up in Accra, where he didn’t have much money, but he taught himself how to make art. (Answer: True)
8. Amoako’s paintings mainly depict white people, and he uses a brush to paint. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧