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Lesson 4 of 5
  • Year 2

Abstract expression

I can use colour and shape expressively to show people moving and places changing.

Lesson 4 of 5
New
New
  • Year 2

Abstract expression

I can use colour and shape expressively to show people moving and places changing.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Artists use different techniques to show movement and change in their artwork.
  2. Artists express change or movement both between different places and within the same space.
  3. Abstract art uses shapes, colours and lines to express feelings.

Keywords

  • Abstract - shapes, colours, and lines to show ideas or feelings

  • Expression - showing how you feel through art with colours, lines and shapes

  • Movement - when something changes place or position

Common misconception

Pupils may think that all art is still and that it doesn't show movement.

Artists have lots of ways to show change or movement such as using lines, colours, and even how they arrange things in the picture.


To help you plan your year 2 art and design lesson on: Abstract expression, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Teachers may wish to share examples of abstract art.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Paper, charcoal and soft pastel

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

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4 Questions

Q1.
Which paints can you use to show movement with scraping?

Only white paint
Correct answer: White paint and other colours
Only one colour
No paint at all

Q2.
How can an artist show movement?

By drawing nothing on the page
Drawing just straight lines
Using only one colour
Correct answer: Adding wavy lines and moving paint

Q3.
Which of these migrate?

Birds, animals and people
Correct answer: Birds, animals and books
Toys, books and birds
Cars, buses and people

Q4.
What do we call the parts of a map that sit on top of each other?

Correct Answer: Layer, layers

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
means an artwork that uses shapes and colours to show feelings.

Correct answer: Abstract
Map
Real

Q2.
What does “expression” mean?

Drawing a map
Correct answer: Showing feelings
Counting

Q3.
Put these steps in the right order to create an abstract artwork that expresses movement:

1 - Think about how someone moves
2 - Pick colours to show feelings
3 - Use shapes and lines to show movement

Q4.
What do we call a strong feeling like happy or sad?

Correct Answer: Emotion