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Lesson 2 of 6
  • Year 2

Make a silhouette scene

I can trace outlines and layer materials to make a silhouette scene

Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
  • Year 2

Make a silhouette scene

I can trace outlines and layer materials to make a silhouette scene

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. An outline is the border, or outside edge of a shape.
  2. For more complex shapes, it can be helpful to trace an outline.
  3. Silhouettes are often made from black card or paper, but they can be any colour the artist wants.

Keywords

  • Trace - when an artist follows the lines of a picture or shape

  • Outline - the outside edge or border of the shape

  • Silhouette - a shape that shows the outline of something, but not the details inside

Common misconception

Silhouettes must be made of black card or paper.

Remind children that silhouettes are often made of black paper or card as this shows up well against a light background, but it is up to the artist which solid colour they will use to make their silhouette.


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

Pupils may find it more managable to trace larger, rather than smaller, outlines.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Tracing paper, black and coloured card or paper, pencils, images of nocturnal animals

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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following animals is nocturnal?

squirrel
Correct answer: hedgehog
rabbit
deer

Q2.
A nocturnal animal is one that is active at and sleeps during the day.

Correct Answer: night, nighttime

Q3.
A badger is an example of a nocturnal animal because ...

it has stripes on its back.
it eats bats during the day.
Correct answer: it sleeps during the day and is active at night.
it lives underground and can dig.

Q4.
Match the animals to their descriptions:.

Correct Answer:owl,known for flying and has large eyes

known for flying and has large eyes

Correct Answer:bat,can navigate in the dark using echolocation

can navigate in the dark using echolocation

Correct Answer:fox,known for its bushy tail

known for its bushy tail

Correct Answer:hedgehog,has a spiky texture and is often found in gardens

has a spiky texture and is often found in gardens

Q5.
What shape can you see in a hedgehog’s nose?

An image in a quiz
circle
Correct answer: triangle
square
rectangle

Q6.
To create textures, artists can use their and other tools.

Correct Answer: hands, fingers

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is an outline?

the inside details of a shape
Correct answer: the outside edge or border of a shape
a type of drawing paper

Q2.
Silhouettes are often made from card or paper.

Correct Answer: black, dark

Q3.
Match the term with its correct definition.

Correct Answer:trace,following the lines of a picture or shape

following the lines of a picture or shape

Correct Answer:silhouette,a shape that shows the outline of something

a shape that shows the outline of something

Correct Answer:outline,the outside edge or border of a shape

the outside edge or border of a shape

Q4.
Which image shows a silhouette of a fox?

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

Q5.
Which of these statements is not true about tracing carefully?

You can lift the paper to check you are tracing the outline accurately.
You can use your other hand and masking tape to hold the paper still.
Correct answer: You should draw over the lines as quickly as possible.
You should draw over the lines slowly and carefully.

Q6.
To create a silhouette scene, you first need to transfer your outlines onto paper or card.

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: traced, tracing, trace