Plan a story artwork including character and objects
I can plan a story artwork that uses my character and objects to convey meaning through symbolism.
Plan a story artwork including character and objects
I can plan a story artwork that uses my character and objects to convey meaning through symbolism.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Artists use symbolism to convey meaning in their work.
- Symbolism can be shown through characters and objects that have hidden meanings or represent ideas.
- Careful planning helps tell a clear story through art.
- Composition helps to arrange elements in an artwork to make them clear and stand out.
Keywords
Character - a person or figure in a story or artwork
Symbolism - the use of symbols to communicate ideas, emotions, or stories in art
Composition - the arrangement of visual elements in an artwork
Common misconception
Objects in art are just for decoration.
Objects often have meanings. For example, a crown might mean power. When planning, think carefully about what each object could represent in your story artwork.
To help you plan your year 6 art and design lesson on: Plan a story artwork including character and objects, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 art and design lesson on: Plan a story artwork including character and objects, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 art and design lessons from the Meaning and symbolism in art: drawing and painting unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Pencils, erasers. Coloured pencils, pens, felt tips.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Njideka Akunyili Crosby uses mixed-media to show what in her artwork?
Q2.What is a narrative in art?
Q3.Why might an artist draw objects from a story?
Q4.What do the objects in Van Gogh’s painting ‘Still Life with Drawing Board, Pipe, Onions and Sealing-Wax’ represent?
Q5.Match the art skill to its description:
Choosing objects that fit a story
Using real objects to draw carefully
Showing ideas with special items
Q6.Put these drawing techniques in order from first to last:
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a character in an artwork?
Q2.What does composition mean in an artwork?
Q3.Match each object to its possible symbolic meaning:
Curiosity and adventure
Power, strength or status
Time passing or history
Q4.Match these words to their meanings:
Using objects or colours to show ideas
The main figure or person in your artwork
How all parts of your artwork are arranged