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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explore a range of different marks to tell a story and express emotions

      Key learning points

      1. Know that marks can tell a story or trace a journey
      2. Know that we can use our marks to explain a feeling or emotion
      3. Know how to recognise, identify and explore the possibilities of a range of drawing tools and drawing media

      Keywords

      • Drawing - using tools and media to create marks on a surface

      • Artist - a person who makes artwork

      • Emotions - the feelings we have inside such as happy, excited, angry, sad or hungry

      Common misconception

      Emotions can be shown through images but not through mark-making.

      Remind children that different styles of marks can show the emotions of the artist, such as rounded lines showing that an artist might be feeling happy and calm. The artist does not need to create an image to express an emotion.

      Teacher tip

      Children might want to use a range of drawing surfaces, such as large backing paper spread over tables, sketchbook paper or sticky notes to easily move around the room with.

      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

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the keyword to its description:

      Correct Answer:drawing,using tools and media to create marks on a surface

      using tools and media to create marks on a surface

      Correct Answer:artist ,a person who makes artwork

      a person who makes artwork

      Correct Answer:emotions,the feelings we have inside such as happy, excited, angry or hungry

      the feelings we have inside such as happy, excited, angry or hungry

      Q2.
      True or false? Emotions can’t be shown through mark-making.

      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q3.
      Which of the following tools can be used to draw with?

      Correct answer: pencil
      chair
      Correct answer: pen

      Q4.
      Materials used to create artwork are called...

      shapes
      Correct answer: media
      lines

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      An artist is __________:

      A person who talks about artwork
      A person who looks at artwork
      Correct answer: A person who makes artwork

      Q2.
      True or false? Mark-making can show emotions or tell a story.

      Correct answer: True
      False

      Q3.
      Which word best describes the action used to make these marks?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: going in circles
      going in a straight line
      Correct answer: jumping up and down

      Q4.
      Which marks best fit the description ‘angry’?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      To help you plan your 1 art and design lesson on: Expressive mark-making, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...