New
New
Observe and record microorganisms
I can observe and respond to images of microorganisms
Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
- Year 4
Observe and record microorganisms
I can observe and respond to images of microorganisms
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Taking time to observe can help an artist to make their work more accurate.
- An artist might observe pattern, line tone and colour within an image.
- Responding to an image might mean using what you have observed and making it your own, not copying it exactly.
Keywords
Microorganism - a very small living thing, like bacteria or viruses, that you cannot see without a microscope
Observe - to look at something carefully and notice details about it
Respond - to react to a stimulus
Common misconception
Responding to an image means making an exact copy
Remind pupils that a response means taking an idea but changing it slightly to make it yours.
Encourage children to make choices about their media by providing materials such as colouring pencils, drawing pens, pencils and watercolour to choose from.
Teacher tip
Equipment
watercolour paints, drawing pens, colouring pencils, waterpots, paintbrushes
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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.What might an artist use to make a picture?
What might an artist use to make a picture?
Only crayons
Only markers
Only one colour
Q2.What can you see under a magnifying glass that might be too small to see with your eyes?
What can you see under a magnifying glass that might be too small to see with your eyes?
dirt
leaves
microorgans
Q3.What could you put in a collage?
What could you put in a collage?
Only one type of paper.
Only a picture of a person.
Only paint.
Q4.True or false? A collage is made by using only one material.
True or false? A collage is made by using only one material.
true
Q5.Which of the following is an example of a mixed media artwork?
Which of the following is an example of a mixed media artwork?
A painting made only with watercolour paints
A sculpture made only from clay
A drawing made with only pencils
Q6.Match the word with the correct description.
Match the word with the correct description.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Microorganisms might be interesting to an artist because they look different to other living things.
True or false? Microorganisms might be interesting to an artist because they look different to other living things.
false
Q2.Which artist has explored small, living creatures or microorganisms?
Which artist has explored small, living creatures or microorganisms?
Claus Kemp
Klaus Pemk
Q3.When drawing and image of a microorganism, what might an artist observe?
When drawing and image of a microorganism, what might an artist observe?
Expressions
Q4.What is “tone” in art?
What is “tone” in art?
The sound of colours
The feeling of a painting
The name of an art tool
Q5.A response means ...
A response means ...
creating an exact copy.
using different materials.
Q6.Why might an artist use a wet-on-wet technique?
Why might an artist use a wet-on-wet technique?
To draw with a pencil
To make the paint dry faster
To stick things onto the paper
