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Lesson 2 of 5
  • Year 4

An artist's respond to plastic waste

I can use my art practice to respond to environmental challenges.

Lesson 2 of 5
New
New
  • Year 4

An artist's respond to plastic waste

I can use my art practice to respond to environmental challenges.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Human beings are creating a lot of plastic waste and fragments that pollute the oceans.
  2. Artists make us think and feel emotionally about their work.
  3. Artists can record thoughts and feelings in sketchbooks by making sketches and writing reflections.

Keywords

  • Waste - anything that is unwanted or unused

  • Fragment - a small part broken off or separated from something

  • Sketch / sketching - a drawing that is not meant to be a finished artwork

Common misconception

Art is only made from traditional art materials.

Art can be made from almost anything, including plastic waste, as in the case of Mandy Barker.


To help you plan your year 4 art and design lesson on: An artist's respond to plastic waste, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to connect their personal feelings with the visual elements in the artwork. Prompt them to use their sketchbooks not just for drawing but also for writing short notes or questions about what the artwork makes them think and feel. This helps deepen their understanding and engagement.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Sketchbook and drawing media: pencils, pens and colouring pencils.

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.
Breaking down a complex form into __________ shapes can help when drawing.

complex
complicated
Correct answer: simple
sample

Q2.
The process of fossilisation typically takes millions of years due to slow ...

Correct answer: decomposition.
transformation.
erosion.
evaporation.

Q3.
Which of the following is considered a simple shape used in breaking down a fossil?

Correct answer: circle
square
Correct answer: spiral
Correct answer: zigzag line

Q4.
Match each simple shape to its correct description as it relates to drawing a fossil.

Correct Answer:curved line,a line that bends without any sharp angles

a line that bends without any sharp angles

Correct Answer:spiral,a shape that loops around a central point, expanding outward

a shape that loops around a central point, expanding outward

Correct Answer:circle,a round shape with no corners or edges

a round shape with no corners or edges

Correct Answer:radiating lines,lines that spread out from a central point-like spokes on a wheel

lines that spread out from a central point-like spokes on a wheel

Q5.
Match each term to its correct definition.

Correct Answer:complex form,overall structure is made up of simpler elements like circles

overall structure is made up of simpler elements like circles

Correct Answer:simple shapes,basic forms such as circles, spirals and radiating lines

basic forms such as circles, spirals and radiating lines

Correct Answer:abstract picture,representation of something that may not look like its original form

representation of something that may not look like its original form

Q6.
Order the steps involved in breaking down a fossil into its simplest forms.

1 - Identify the overall complex form of the fossil.
2 - Observe the fossil closely, noting the shapes that make it up.
3 - Rearrange the simple shapes to create an abstract picture.
4 - Draw the fossil using the identified simple shapes.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to the definitions.

Correct Answer:waste,anything that is unwanted or unused

anything that is unwanted or unused

Correct Answer:sketch,a drawing that is not meant to be a finished artwork

a drawing that is not meant to be a finished artwork

Correct Answer:fragment,a small part broken off or separated from something

a small part broken off or separated from something

Q2.
Henderson Island is now one of the most plastic-polluted places on Earth.

Correct answer: true
false

Q3.
Which artist travelled with Break Free From Plastic and created a series of photographs about plastic waste?

Banksy
Correct answer: Mandy Barker
Leonardo da Vinci

Q4.
Mandy Barker's Shelf-Life photographs are created using traditional painting techniques.

true
Correct answer: false

Q5.
What was the purpose of Mandy Barker's Shelf-Life photographs?

to advertise beach clean-up events
Correct answer: to document plastic pollution in oceans
to sell artwork for charity
to promote recycling programs

Q6.
What role does art play in raising awareness about environmental issues like plastic pollution?

It serves as a form of entertainment.
Correct answer: It conveys complex messages in a visual and emotional way.
It promotes political campaigns.
It generates income for artists.