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Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a canvas
    • ex. The artist painted a beautiful picture on a large canvas.
  2. autism
    • ex. Children with autism may like routines and find loud noises difficult.
    • ex. Our house is surrounded by tall trees, so it feels very quiet and peaceful.
  3. an upbringing
    • ex. Her kind and respectful behavior shows she had a good upbringing.
    • ex. Learning to fly without wings is an impossibility.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 15-year-old boy from Nigeria, has set a Guinness World Record. He painted the world’s largest artwork on canvas to help people learn more about autism. The huge painting is 12,304 square meters, much bigger than a football field. It shows a ribbon with many colors, which is a symbol of autism. It is surrounded by emojis.

The painting was shown on World Autism Acceptance Day in Abuja, Nigeria. Guinness World Records said it was the biggest canvas in the world. Nigeria’s art and culture minister, Hannatu Musawa, praised the painting. She said it brings hope to people with autism. She also said it is important to support their special talents.

Tagbo-Okeke was born in Canada but grew up in Nigeria. His upbringing has not been easy. Autism affects how he speaks, but he worked hard to share his message through art. His family is proud of him. They celebrated his hard work and the message of his campaign, “Impossibility is a Myth.” His painting helps people see the abilities of those with autism, not just their struggles.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Autism

  • Tagbo-Okeke created the world’s largest painting to help people learn more about autism. Why do you think it’s important to learn more about autism? Discuss.
  • Tagbo-Okeke used his painting to inform people about autism. Do you think art is a good way to inform people about this condition? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • How important is it to support people with autism in school or work? Discuss.

Message Through Art

  • The message of Tagbo-Okeke’s art is “Impossibility is a Myth.” What do you think this means? Discuss.
  • Do you think painting is a good way to share a message? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • If you were to paint a picture, what would you paint? Discuss.