Lesson video

Hello, welcome to our art lesson today.

Now, I think I may have met some of you before.

Can you remember my name? Well, for those I haven't met, and for those that can't remember my name, my name is Ms. Holland.

And I am so excited to be your teacher for this art lesson today.

So what are we gonna be learning about today? Well, today we're gonna be drafting a self-portrait concrete poem.

And we're gonna be learning about what a concrete poem is.

And this is part of our unit, me in a box.

drawing and sculpture.

By the end of today's lesson, you will have drafted a self-portrait concrete poem using words that represent your inner and outer self.

Our key words today are concrete poem, and this is a type of poem that is written in the shape of the subject that it describes.

And we're gonna be really looking at those.

So if I wrote a poem of about a flower, I'd write it in the shape of a flower.

Self-portrait, a self-portrait is a work of art, like a picture or a sculpture that an artist has made of themselves.

Mental imagery, and mental imagery is using words to create visual images in the mind of the reader.

And lastly, inner self and outer self.

Inner self is the person's true feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and desires, which may not always be visible to others, whereas the outer self are those external aspects.

So those things that are visible of a person and how they present themselves to the world.

Our lesson is in two halves.

The first half is exploring what a self-portrait concrete poem is.

And the second half is drafting a self-portrait concrete poem.

So shall we get started? What is a self-portrait concrete poem? I'd like us to look at this illustration of an artwork here.

What do you notice about the way that the artist has created this artwork? Firstly, what do you think the artwork is of? Yes, I think it's a person, but how has the artist created it? Look really closely.

Yes, instead of using line, the artist has used words to represent it.

Artists can create art in many ways, and sometimes words can be used as a visual element to combine both the text and the image.

And in a concrete poem, words become an artistic medium.

So they're used to be arranged visually to convey the image.

So what do you think this image is here? Yeah, it's a coffee or a teacup.

And the artist has used words as their artistic medium to create this image.

And here we have the illustration of the person again, alongside this, The words in a concrete poem are organised into the shape of the subject that it describes.

So what it is describing.

So here we have a light bulb, and let's look really, really closely at the words.

At the top it says, a gentle buzz, a surge of electrical power, a beacon of hope from the top of the tower.

Look closely and you can see that all the lines are actually words.

The artist is using words as an artistic medium.

And the overall shape and arrangement of the words supports its meaning.

So in this light bulb, the poem is about light and the hope that light brings.

And so the artist has arranged the text in the shape of a light bulb.

A self-portrait concrete poem is a type of autobiographical poem.

So that means the writer is describing themselves, the artist is describing themselves.

It is like painting a picture of yourself, but using words instead of paint.

So if we were to paint a self-portrait, we might really consider the colours we wanted to use, the types of brush strokes we wanted to use.

Instead, in a self-portrait concrete poem, we really consider the words that we're going to use as the artistic medium.

In a self-portrait concrete poem, the words and phrases might be used to describe the beliefs, the feelings, the thoughts or memories of the artist.

If someone could only see you through your thoughts, dreams, and feelings, what would your self-portrait look like? So if you could only be shown through your thoughts and your dreams and your feelings, what would it look like? Sam has written a verse of her self-portrait poem.

Should we take a look at it? So Sam says, I am observant and quiet.

So she's watchful and quiet.

I see pebbles picked up and put in pockets.

I say honesty is at the centre of my friendships.

So she really values honesty.

I try, but I don't always succeed.

She's taken that and turned that poem into a concrete poem.

So she's taken that and then arranged and composed the words to visually describe herself.

I'd like you to think if you're at home, or discuss with a partner if you're in class, how changing the shape of the poem changes how you engage or feel about it.

So how does translating that poem into a concrete poem make you engage with it differently? For me, it brings even more meaning to the poem.

It helps me visually imagine Sam.

And understand her better.

What do you think? A check for understanding.

So a self-portrait concrete poem is.

And think because these are two of our keywords, self-portrait as well as concrete poem.

So is a self-portrait concrete poem, a series of illustrations that combine to form a self-portrait.

Is it a poem where the writer describes themselves and arranges the text to form a self-portrait? Or is a self-portrait concrete poem always made with rhyming words and phrases? Well done.

Yes, it's a poem where the writer describes himself and arranges the text form a self-portrait.

And a writer might use an image of themselves to help create their self-portrait Concrete poem.

And remember, a concrete poem has to include text.

But like with all poems, they don't have to have rhyming words and phrases.

Poetry can be used to express emotions and ideas through writing.

By using descriptive words and phrases.

Poems can create mental images, which can be seen in the eye even with your eyes closed.

So a mental image is an image of something that we can see even when our eyes are closed.

Sometimes that's like memories.

So if I were to ask you to close your eyes and think of a memory from a year ago, a significant memory, you'd be able to see it in your mind eye.

You would have a mental image of it.

And mental imagery can be helpful to make sense of what we hear, what we read, and what we write.

I would like you to try something.

I'd like you to close your eyes and see if Aisha's story creates any mental imagery for you.

And there is no right or wrong here.

For all of us our mental imagery is very individual and depends upon our own experiences, our own memories, our own preferences.

But I'd like you to close your eyes and I'm gonna read you Aisha's.

And I would like you to think about what mental imagery it creates.

So Aisha's story, "The trees are giants.

Their arms wave in the wind.

Whispering secrets I almost understand.

Moss under my feet feels like green carpet and leaves crunch like cereal underfoot.

Sunlight peeks through the branches in thin beams. A squirrel darts past like a furry lightning bolt.

I hear birds playing above me and twigs snapping behind me.

But it was just the wind, maybe." What mental imagery did that create? For me, I was deep inside a beautiful wood in the springtime where the sun is just starting to break through.

And I can hear and feel all the different textures.

The crunch of the leaves left through autumn.

The slight wind rustling the new leaves on the trees, and a squirrel darting past me.

And sometimes when you listen to stories like this, it can be quite helpful to sketch what you see.

Because that helps us evolve our mental imagery.

So what did Aisha's story create in terms of mental imagery for you? Lucas and Sofia severe are discussing their responses to Aisha's description.

Lucas says, "I could see the branches of the trees, the sun and the moss vividly even when my eyes were closed." So what could you see vividly? Sophia says, "I could almost feel the beams of sunlight on my face and felt a little bit afraid of the unseen creatures who snapped the twigs." Yes, were you a little bit scared at that point? So many kinds of writing, including poems and stories can evoke, create, make us think of mental imagery in the mind of the reader or the listener.

In a self-portrait poem, text is arranged to create a visual image which is seen through its shape or form.

By combining descriptive words and phrases that creates mental imagery with a visual form.

Even more meaning can be conveyed about a subject.

A check for understanding, why is the shape important in a concrete poem? Is it because it's for decoration? Is it because it's not very important actually? It's the poem's meaning that's really important.

Or is it to help convey the poem's meaning visually? Well done? Yes, it is C.

The shape of the poem represents the subject being described, and so it helps convey the poem's meaning visually.

So I'd like us to get started now with drafting our poem.

And we're gonna first of all plan our self-portrait poem.

And we're gonna do this by using a mind map.

And we're gonna use a mind map for words to describe ourselves.

And at the centre of this mind map is me.

And you can say me or your name.

And then I'd like you to think about the places that are special to you.

So for me, I love walking in the woods with my dog.

That's really special to me.

Or being at home with my family.

A special objects.

A special object for me is an old box that my grandmother gave, which I now hold all my closest and dearest memories.

Beliefs, what are your beliefs? So my belief is about kindness and treating everyone equally.

Your personality, what's your personality like? Is it observant and quiet, loud and funny? And then your appearance.

So for me, I would definitely include glasses in my appearance.

Pause the video.

Well, well done.

I'm sure each of yours is very, very unique as we are unique people.

But let's see what some of our pupils have written.

So for places some of our pupils have written, the shopping centre, home, school, skate park, and forest.

Special objects include photographs, video games, gifts, toys.

Beliefs, honesty, hopefulness, fair, justice.

Personality might be kind, creative, outgoing, sensitive.

And appearance might be lively, neat, freckled or dimpled.

I wonder what you wrote? Well, well done.

We are now gonna move on to our second half, which is about drafting our self-portrait concrete poem.

So how might an artist represent their inner and outer self? One way people have expressed both their inner and outer selves is through the tradition of designing sarcophagi.

A sarcophagus is a special box or coffin that is used to hold the body of someone who has died.

And you can see an example here, a beautifully gilded decorated one.

Examples of sarcophagi around the world include, Northumbria sarcophagi from the Anglo-Saxon period are famous for their detailed carvings, which often include twisting patterns, animals and Christian symbols.

In ancient Egypt, a sarcophagus was covered in hieroglyphs that told the person's name, prayers and wishes for the afterlife.

Where they believe they went to after they die.

And in modern day Ghana, fantasy coffins are hand carved, and brightly painted.

They're shaped like something that represents a person's life, personality, job, or dreams. A quick check for understanding.

Examples of decorated sarcophagi from around the world include those from: Is it A, Ancient Egypt, Ghana and Wales.

B, Northumbria, Ancient Egypt and Ghana.

Or C, North Northumbria, Cornwell and Ancient Egypt.

Well done, yes, it is B, Northumbria, Ancient Egypt, and modern day Ghana.

In your self-portrait concrete poem, the words will help to show the meaning of the poem and represent your self identity.

Gathering words and taking time to plan your poem is important.

It's important because using descriptive words and phrases helps to create that strong mental imagery in the viewer and the listener.

It allows you to carefully choose the right language.

It ensures your emotions or messages are communicated effectively.

And it creates a clear structure.

You might also think about representing your inner and outer self.

So if you remember, the outer self is the external aspects of a person.

So how you present yourselves to the world, through your personality, through your appearance.

But the inner self is your person's feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and desires that someone may not automatically be able to see from your outer self.

Which statement describes your outer self? Is it a person's true feelings, someone's reflections or thoughts or the external aspects of a person.

Well done, yes, it's the external aspects of a person.

It might include ideas about your likes, dislikes, and the way you present yourself to the world.

You could present your outer self by using words to describe the things you like or dislike, your appearance, your beliefs, your opinions you often share.

Or your favourite objects or possessions.

Izzy is creating some ideas to write a poem about her outer self.

So she's using some of her gathered words from task A to help her.

And she says, one of my favourite places is the skate park.

I would like to include a line in my poem about this part of my outer self.

And this is her line.

The wheels spin wild, carving smooth curves on concrete, each jump a shout of freedom in the air.

That really evokes some strong mental imagery.

True or false? You do not need to plan a self-portrait concrete poem.

You should just start by writing, true or false.

Well done, of course that's false.

But why? Well done.

Yes.

Planning some descriptive words or phrases can help to ensure your emotions or message are communicated effectively in your self-portrait concrete poem.

So it's good to take some time to really plan and reflect on the words and phrases you're going to use.

You could also represent your inner self by using words to describe your beliefs, your inner thoughts and feelings.

How are you feeling today? Your dreams or wishes for the future? And Izzy is now creating some ideas to write a poem about her inner herself.

And she again is using some of the gathered words from task A.

So Izzy's saying, "Being fair is really important to me.

I deserve to be treated with fairness in games.

And when people listen to my side of the story." So she's written, I deserve the same chances, the same rules and a voice that's heard.

Again, very powerful words and phrases.

So our final task.

And this is where you're gonna draught your self-portrait concrete poem.

So you are gonna think about both your inner and outer self.

And firstly, we're gonna think about our outer self.

So how we present ourselves to the world.

So you can use these sentence starters.

I am.

I see.

What do you see? I say, I try and I hear.

And here are some examples.

So I am, and you could start with two traits.

So I'm curious and quiet.

I see you could say something that you see, which is very familiar to me.

So for example, the box that was handed down to me by my grandmother.

I say a phrase or belief you often express.

So is there something that you often say that really expresses yourself? I try, what's something that you try really hard at? And I hear, a sound only you can hear, real or imagined.

Pause the video and off you go.

Well done.

I wish I could see all of your work.

Now remember, like the first part of the task, there is no right or wrong here, good or bad.

This is about yourself and expressing yourself.

So these are just some examples.

I am observant and quiet.

I see pebbles picked up and put in pockets.

I say honesty is at the centre of my friendships.

I try, but I don't always succeed.

I hear a city buzzing from my window.

Did you write some other things? What did you say that you say or you try? Now we're gonna move on to drafting a self-portrait concrete poem about your inner self.

So your true feelings, beliefs, thoughts, memories, desires, and again, we can use this table to help us.

So I wonder, something you often think about or question.

I want, something you truly desire.

What is it that you really want? I feel a strong emotional sensation.

And that could be just in a moment today.

I worry, is there a fear or a worry you worry about? And I dream, what's a hope or goal for your future that you dream about? And this doesn't just need to be about school it could be in life.

And remember, there is no right or wrong, good or bad.

This is about your inner self.

Pause the video.

Well done.

Let's see again what our pupils have said.

So I wonder what clouds feel like and if they ever get tired of floating.

And that's why they're lovely.

There's a bit of personification in there.

I want to be brave enough to speak up even when my voice shakes.

I feel I'm small in a big world, I worry I'll mess up something important and everyone will notice.

And I dream of going somewhere far where I can always come back, so go adventuring.

What did you write? Well, thank you so much for joining me today.

I've loved this lesson and I hope you have too.

And we've learnt a lot.

We've learnt that a self-portrait concrete poem is a poem where the writer uses words to describe themselves.

It's like an artistic medium, painting a picture with words.

And we've learnt that the arrangement of a concrete poem is as important as the words used within it.

And lastly, we've learnt an artist might describe both their inner and outer selves using a self-portrait concrete poem.

Thank you again, and I hope to see you very, very soon.