New
New
Year 5

Draft a self-portrait concrete poem

I can draft a self-portrait concrete poem using words to represent myself.

New
New
Year 5

Draft a self-portrait concrete poem

I can draft a self-portrait concrete poem using words to represent myself.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A self-portrait concrete poem is a poem where the writer uses words to describe themselves, arranged in visual format.
  2. The arrangement of a concrete poem is as important as the words used within it.
  3. An artist might describe both their inner and outer selves using a self-portrait poem.

Keywords

  • Concrete poem - a type of poem that is written in the shape of the subject that it describes

  • Self-portrait - a work of art, like a picture or a sculpture, that an artist has made of themselves

  • Mental imagery - using words to create visual images in the mind

  • Inner self - a person's true feelings, thoughts, beliefs and desires, which may not always be visible to others

  • Outer self - the external aspects of a person and how they present themselves to the world

Common misconception

You do not need to plan a self-portrait concrete poem. You should just start by writing.

Remind children that planning some descriptive words or phrases can help to ensure their emotions or message are communicated effectively in their concrete poem.


To help you plan your year 5 art and design lesson on: Draft a self-portrait concrete poem, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

During this lessons, you may wish to take photographs of pupils for the following lesson ready for their self-portrait mono-printing. Alternatively, you could ask children to bring in a photograph of themselves. It is also worth considering that for this unit children will each need a shoebox.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Sketchbooks, concrete poem examples

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 these best describes a self-portrait?
a work of art that an artist makes of a scene
a work of art that an artist makes of someone else
Correct answer: a work of art that an artist makes of themselves
Q2.
Which of these is a sculpture?
Correct answer: Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Q3.
When referring to our 'inner' self what do we mean?
A person's natural hair colour and height
Correct answer: A person's feelings, thoughts, beliefs and desires
A person's favourite clothing and accessories
Q4.
Match the descriptions to the terms.
Correct Answer:inner self,a person's internal feelings, thoughts, beliefs, desires

a person's internal feelings, thoughts, beliefs, desires

Correct Answer:outer self,the external aspects of a person which can be seen by others

the external aspects of a person which can be seen by others

Correct Answer:Self-portrait,an artwork created by an artist of themselves

an artwork created by an artist of themselves

Q5.
What does mental imagery mean in poetry?
The feelings and emotions described in a written poem.
Correct answer: The visual pictures that you imagine when reading a poem.
The use of poetry as a creative form.
Q6.
The words in a self-portrait concrete poem can help express a person's and outer self.
Correct Answer: inner

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What does a self-portrait concrete poem describe?
A photograph of the artist
Correct answer: The artist’s thoughts or feelings in a visual shape
A traditional painting of oneself
Q2.
The self represents how a person presents themselves to the world.
Correct Answer: outer
Q3.
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Correct Answer:Concrete poem,Words arranged in a shape to convey meaning.

Words arranged in a shape to convey meaning.

Correct Answer:Inner self,A person's internal feelings and thoughts.

A person's internal feelings and thoughts.

Correct Answer:Mental imagery,Creating visual images in the mind using words or sounds.

Creating visual images in the mind using words or sounds.

Q4.
Why is mental imagery important in writing?
It makes the text longer.
Correct answer: It helps readers visualise the content.
It adds more words to the poem.
Q5.
A self-portrait concrete poem uses words to create a picture of your ...
Correct Answer: self
Q6.
What is the significance of the shape in a concrete poem?
It serves no purpose.
It decorates the page.
Correct answer: It expresses meaning visually.