United Kingdom Art and Design Curriculum - Year 4

This curriculum focuses on developing artistic techniques, including control and use of materials, with creativity, experimentation, and awareness of different art and design forms. Students explore ideas, record experiences, and learn about influential artists, architects, and designers.

Key Stage 2 - Art and Design

Building upon Key Stage 1, pupils further develop their techniques, control, and use of materials with increasing creativity and experimentation. They develop an awareness of different kinds of art, craft, and design.

Learning Objectives:

  • Sketchbooks: Students utilize sketchbooks to record observations, review, and revisit ideas.
  • Technique Mastery: Improve mastery of techniques like drawing, painting, and sculpture using various materials (e.g., pencil, charcoal, paint, clay).
  • Art History: Learn about significant artists, architects, and designers throughout history.

Year 4 Art Overview (Example from Goldsmith Primary Academy)

This overview provides suggestions for teachers delivering the Art National Curriculum.

Curriculum Strands and Learning Statements:

  • Observation and Recording: Close observation and recording of objects from both natural and man-made worlds. Recording information from firsthand observation and imagination.
  • Sketchbook Use: Using sketchbooks to document how artists have used paint and painting techniques to create pattern, color, texture, tone, shape, space, form, and line. Evaluating and critiquing their own work and the work of others.
  • Technique Experimentation: Experimenting with different techniques to show tone and texture. Using watercolor paint to create washes for backgrounds and adding details. Using various brush techniques to produce shapes, textures, patterns, and lines. Using color to reflect feeling and mood.
  • Art History: Studying European artists and comparing art styles from different periods. Making deductions about life in the past by comparing artwork.

Vocabulary:

Line, Tone, Texture, Pattern, Colour, Shape, Two-dimensional, Graduation, Printing, Drawing, Painting, Light, Dark, Contrast, Looking, Observing, Mark-making, Objects, Photomontage, Collage, Describing, Thick, Thin, Wavy, Rubbings, Frottage, Cross-hatching, Scribbling, Regular, Irregular, Natural, Man-made, Decorative.

Resources:

Sketchbooks, Pencils, Charcoal, Biro, PVA glue, Wax crayons, Watercolours, Brushes (various sizes).

Experiences/Opportunities:

  • Visits to Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Farm, and Walsall Art Gallery.
  • Discussions about art and design from the past and present.
  • Introduction to artists, craftsmen, and designers.
  • Projects involving art, design, music, movement, and drama.
  • Group projects and challenges.
  • Online gallery creation.
  • Art competitions.

Cross-Curricular Activity Suggestions:

  • Autumn 1 (Line): Focus on line drawings using different media.
  • Autumn 2 (Tone): Study the work of European artist George Seurat.
  • Spring 1 (Pattern): Design repeat patterns inspired by natural and man-made objects.
  • Spring 2 (Texture): Explore textures of natural objects, flowers, plants, and fingerprints.
  • Summer 1 & 2 (Colour and Shape): Watercolor painting, color mixing, matching tints, tones, and shades. Observe colors and use color to reflect mood. Connect to the work of Gustav Klimt. Create Hundertwasser-inspired landscapes using shapes, patterns, and color. Use oil pastels with watercolor or inks to create a resist effect. Experiment with sgraffito (scratch art).

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