A single sheet with questions to provide a framework for meaning project evaluation for GCSE and A level art students. The powerpoint sheet can be incorporated into other presentations or printed off for students to keep at the back of sketchbooks and use independently.

Looking for a great way to start off your GCSE art project? These seven mind-maps cover the themes: Portrait, Entwined, Fragments, Boundaries Borders and Edges, Transport, Places and Spaces, Celebration. A fantastic resource to support student exploration; combining artists and ideas with imagery to provoke initial investigations. You can print and display or handout the sheets, or share the document with students on the computer and they can click on the artist names/images to link directly to examples of relevant work on the internet. Saves time all round!! The sheets cover a range of artists and designers from different time periods, working in different media…

This powerpoint presentation is designed to be printed and then photocopied into a booklet (A5 sized) which can be stuck into the back of year 10 students sketchbooks towards the start of the GCSE course. I have found that students take the idea of managing their own learning more seriously with the handbook and that they are able to refer to pages on evaluation and artist research when needed. They seem to enjoy having this resource. The booklet has been updated to the wording of the new specification (from 2016, AQA exam board - though this is easily adapted to other boards) and includes a page outlining the projects students will cover over the year that you would probably want to adapt to suit your own course. The idea of producing this as a powerpoint is that you can also incorporate pages into your own lesson presentations where relevant throughout the year (for instance when asking students to add new vocabulary).

All of the woks in this self-portrait introduction lesson come from an exhibition held at Kettles Yard in Cambridge called Face Off - and none of the artworks feature the artists faces. This makes for really interesting class discussions about the nature of portraiture and also what can be used to make an artwork. The lesson has been used successfully with KS3 and KS4 students and always generated interesting ideas from the the students. To get the class thinking about their own identity, I print off the slide handout sheet from powerpoint and photocopy this for the students, then I give them 2 or 3 minutes on each slide to complete their own mini-self-portrait in response to each image (e.g. draw your own favourite shoes or sign your name...). An enjoyable lesson which sets a class up well for a self-portraiture project. There is a homework task at the end if you choose to use it.

Aimed at KS4 and 5, this presentation is designed to accompany a photogram workshop giving artist links and information, simple instructions, weblinks for further research and potential techniques to develop and explore such as scanography, cyanotypes, silhouettes... Artist links include Anna Atkins, Man Ray, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, Jenny Saville, Paul Morrison, Susan Derges. A really useful structure for the setting up of a practical workshop with guidance for students on writing-up and then developing their ideas through further techniques.

An A3 pdf poster for artroom display to support students' understanding of the Assessment Objectives. This version uses the 'old specification' wording for this years' GCSE (year 11) students - a 'new spec' version is also available for year 10s. The poster aims to keep it simple and provides short 'student speak' explanations of what each assessment objective is looking for. The idea of the poster is to present the process of the project from the perspective of an explorer: developing ideas (using a compass to set a course for the investigation), refining skills with appropriate tools (penknife illustration), recording ideas by observing carefully (binoculars) and documenting, and finally shining a light on the culmination of the adventure! A timely piece of classroom display to remind students what they need for both coursework and exam projects. The pdf can be printed at A3 size or reduced down to A4.

A four-page PDF resource (can be photocopied back to back and laminated for repeated use) on the artist Keith Haring. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (Pop Art, human figure, shape, movement, graffiti …), an extension activity, independent study, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist and answer questions, then create pop-up card inspired by Haring’s work. Included are image source sheets and instructions to guide students through the process. Also included are idea to develop into further investigation. The lesson requires minimal materials (thick paper or card, pens, scissors and glue) and can be carried-out in a non-specialist classroom. A great introduction to an important 20th century artist whose work is inspiring and engaging for young people.

This mind-map on the theme of EVENT provides links to over 40 artists from varied times and places. Organised with sub-themes, this resource is a great was of supporting students individual investigations and introducing them to diverse approaches to the theme. You can print as an A3 poster or an A4 handout, or use the pdf document on screen so that the artists names hyperlink to relevant websites to develop research further. You may also be interested in this ‘week by week’ art exam handout.

A fun clay vocabulary word search PDF with 12 vocabulary terms to find relating to ceramics. These print well at A5 (two to an A4 sheet) so are an economical, fun way to embed student learning, building on literacy, extending vocabulary with any clay scheme of work.

Guidance for KS5 students in an easy to access format on annotation, vocabulary and assessment objectives. Print 2 pages back to back for a quick reference getting students to take responsibility for doing the right thing!

This page can be printed at A3 size then folded down into a small booklet which gives page by page instructions for an exam project on the Beginning and/or End theme. The sheet is designed for students who struggle to work completely independently and need more guidance on how to structure their project. The theme is narrowed to Seasons and then Spring and then takes natural forms such as flowers and seedpods as the focus. This enables students to produce high quality observational drawing and photography. Two artists researches are specified: Angie Lewin and Beatriz Milhazes with a choice of the third (suggestions are given: William Morris, Margaret Mee, Catherine Bertola and Karl Blossfeldt). Students are instructed to work in a range of media and then need to develop their own outcome from their investigations. If they have followed the steps they will end up with a coherent project, covering all of the assessment objectives. I have found that students like the balance of independence and structure that the book gives them and helps avoid wasted time where they are looking at random ideas without a strong thread. Instructions for folding the zine from the printed page are also given.

A final reminder to students preparing for their GCSE or A level art exam: what to do and how to do it... Good for the last push to help them get it right in the controlled assessment... Can be printed for display or handout at either A3 or A4 size.

A two page resource (can be photocopied back to back and laminated for repeated use) on Rembrandt van Rijn. This worksheet is focused on his self-portraits and in particular the graphic examples. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (self portraiture, tone, mark-making…), an extension activity, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions, try mark-making and creating a tonal ladder, then transcribing a detailed copy of one of Rembrandt’s graphic self-portraits. This could be continued into a biro self-portrait lesson or project, or be used as a stand alone resource. Designed to be easy to deploy and requires no additional resources (only black biros and paper). A fantastic resource to have on hand!

This A3 PDF page is an interactive mind-map designed to be a starting point for students’ exploration of the theme. I have used some of the key words from the ESA paper as a starting point. Click on the artist names to link to examples of relevant work on the internet. This is a fun way to get students exploring a wide range of artists and designers from different time periods, working in different media…

Designed initially to support year 12 students with sketchbook annotation, this presentation has also been useful with GCSE and year 13 artists. The presentation provides some discussion points and also some clear directions of the 'what not to do’s of sketchbook annotation. Students are asked to look at some examples of sketchbook annotation, so it is useful if you have some old books - good or not - for analysis and discussion. If not, there are two examples in the presentation you can use. The presentation asks students to then look at their own sketchbooks and set their own independent study task, using what they have learnt. I have found this to be a successful starter for lessons, taking about 25 minutes and encouraging independence.

A level art and design students have found the Pecha Kucha format a useful way to get edit their ideas and thoughts ready for peer critique sessions. They have developed skills in speaking about their work as well as found the process of selecting and combining images helpful. This presentation introduces the format with a little background, instructions on putting together the powerpoint and then provides an exemplar.

This unit of work was designed for KS3 and includes background information on tulips as a Turkish cultural symbol. The project develops through drawing and painting lessons, on to design, and then collage work leading to the final lessons building a relief tile in clay, and then glazing. Each lesson has a powerpoint presentation and there are accompanying worksheets, starters and extension tasks as necessary. In all, the unit covers 7 lessons including a final one on evaluation. This is a fairly speedy project and could easily be extended to cover more lessons. Initial primary observation lessons use real tulips to draw from, though this could be adapted to work from secondary imagery. The lessons feature elements on design, pattern and symmetry. This project has been really successful in providing for a range of skills and students have produced results that they are very proud of!

Resources to support felt making in the classroom. There is an instruction sheet and a information sheet on felt making craft traditions around the world with a corresponding sheet with comprehension questions for students. Felt making is a brilliant textile craft to bring into lessons as it is very tactile and a ‘magic’ process whereby the materials transform as you work them. Resources needed for felt making are listed, and it should be possible to create a small sample piece over two lessons (one dry lesson, where the piece is created, and one wet lesson where it is felted). Originally created for a year 9 group, this could be used with GCSE students as a workshop too.

Two powerpoint slides with an example of a GCSE student’s evaluation of an exam project. Useful to give students an idea of what to include and a simple format to summarise key parts of the project and evaluate.

Make a personalised mini home from a reused carton or box (like the ones tea comes in). Take inspiration from Ndebele art from sothern Africa to create bright and colourful designs. A great one-off lesson or can be developed into a longer project: see my unit of work with 12 lessons (fully resources with Powerpoint presentations and worksheets in my TES shop - https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ndebele-modroc-houses-colour-and-geometry-3d-painting-scheme-of-work-11415036) A project which kids love!