New
New
Draw the rainforest: studies of plants and leaves
I can observe and sketch a variety of leaves.
Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
- Year 3
Draw the rainforest: studies of plants and leaves
I can observe and sketch a variety of leaves.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Using organic and geometric shapes for the basic structure creates a more accurate leaf sketch.
- Different line styles can be used to improve a drawing of a leaf.
- Applying tone and shading can be used to make an observational drawing more realistic.
Keywords
Line - a mark made by a moving point, such as a pencil or brush
Geometric shapes - shapes that have uniform measurements and do not appear in nature
Organic shapes - shapes that do not have straight lines and are found in nature
Tone - how light or dark something is
Common misconception
Pupils often think that leaves are uniform in shape, when in fact rainforest leaves vary greatly in shape and size.
Highlight the diversity of plant forms and individuality of shape in the lesson.
Weather permitting, take the children outside to gather plants and flowers from around the school grounds. If it’s not suitable to collect them outdoors, have some purchased flowers available for the children to observe and explore.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Plants and flowers
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following tools would be best for creating bold lines in your drawing?
Which of the following tools would be best for creating bold lines in your drawing?
a ruler
eraser
water
Q2.Which of the following is a key part of creating a collage?
Which of the following is a key part of creating a collage?
using only one colour
only drawing with pencils
making sure everything is painted
Q3.Match the drawing tool or technique to its purpose.
Match the drawing tool or technique to its purpose.
Q4.What is the best way to add texture to a collage?
What is the best way to add texture to a collage?
using flat, smooth paper only
only drawing with coloured pencils
using only glitter
Q5.Frottage is an art technique where you over a textured surface, like a leaf or wood, with a pencil or crayon to capture its pattern.
Frottage is an art technique where you over a textured surface, like a leaf or wood, with a pencil or crayon to capture its pattern.
paint
press
sketch
Q6.How might an artist like Henri Rousseau show the diversity of animals in a rainforest scene?
How might an artist like Henri Rousseau show the diversity of animals in a rainforest scene?
by using dull colours and simple shapes
by only painting the animals in the background
by using soft, neutral colours for all the animals
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Q2.What colours would you use to shade this green leaf realistically?
What colours would you use to shade this green leaf realistically?
Q3.When drawing a leaf, you can show the veins by using lines to follow the leaf’s shape.
When drawing a leaf, you can show the veins by using lines to follow the leaf’s shape.
dots
zig-zag
straight
Q4.Put these steps for drawing a leaf in the correct order.
Put these steps for drawing a leaf in the correct order.
