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Lesson 2 of 4
  • Year 5

Cut, colour, speak: Pop Art placards for protest

I can cut bold shapes and print powerful words to create a protest placard.

Lesson 2 of 4
New
New
  • Year 5

Cut, colour, speak: Pop Art placards for protest

I can cut bold shapes and print powerful words to create a protest placard.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Art can communicate powerfully without sound.
  2. Protest placards combine shape, words, and symbols to share big ideas.
  3. Colour, simplicity, and repetition make messages bold and memorable.

Keywords

  • Placard - a large sign, often held in a protest, used to share a clear message through words, shapes, and colours

  • Protest - a protest is when people come together to show they support or oppose something, often using signs, chants, or art to express their views

  • Symbol - an object, shape, or image that stands for or represents an idea or meaning

Common misconception

All protests are loud and dangerous.

Protest can be peaceful and placards can be a safe way to share ideas.


To help you plan your year 5 art and design lesson on: Cut, colour, speak: Pop Art placards for protest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to see protest placards as a tool for any community voice, not one particular leaning. Instead of suggesting particular causes, frame questions like “What matters to you?” or “What would you stand up for?”. Review the key characteristics of Pop Art by using selected examples.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A5 scrap paper, scissors, masking tape, newspaper, sponge, paint, small tray, large piece of cardboard, coloured paper, glue stick, paper strips, screen printing frame, printing ink and a squeegee.

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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Artists can use materials like fabric and wire to share ideas and feelings, not just to make shapes.

Correct answer: true
sometimes false
false

Q2.
When an artist wraps or unweaves materials, they can show __________ and change.

transportation
Correct answer: transformation
translation

Q3.
Which word means to take materials apart to make something new?

wrapping
weaving
Correct answer: unweaving
painting

Q4.
Sculptures are only about how they look, not what they mean.

true
sometimes true
Correct answer: false

Q5.
Sheila Hicks is an artist whose ideas around art are linked to ...

Correct answer: wrapping, care, and colour
unweaving and transformation
foiling, care, and colour

Q6.
Put these making steps in order for building a sculpture.

1 - build a frame
2 - wrap materials
3 - add finishing details

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
A placard is a large sign used to share a clear message, often in a protest.

Correct answer: true
sometimes true
false

Q2.
A symbol is a picture or shape that stands for a bigger ...

Correct answer: idea
composition
energy

Q3.
Pop Art used ...

soft colours and quiet shapes with unusual images
Correct answer: bright colours, bold words, and everyday images
only black and white photos with everyday images
small, hidden designs of unusual images

Q4.
Match the keyword to its meaning.

Correct Answer:protest,people joining together for change

people joining together for change

Correct Answer:placard,a bold sign with words or pictures

a bold sign with words or pictures

Correct Answer:symbol,a shape that stands for an idea

a shape that stands for an idea

Q5.
Corita Kent made Pop Art to show messages about peace and kindness.

Correct answer: true
sometimes true
false

Q6.
Put the printing steps in order.

1 - cut shapes and letters
2 - add paint with a sponge
3 - peel away shapes to reveal your print