This lesson is designed to give structure to a standard GCSE art project lesson where students are working on individual projects. The format asks students to identify priorities initially and then specify what they should achieve in the lesson. The plenary reviews this, and then sets home learning that arises. The aim is to encourage students to take personal responsibility for their projects and to avoid procrastination during the lesson! There are 4 slides in the powerpoint which should be printed off (possibly laminated for repeated use) and used by students to help identify their personal priorities. Each slide looks at an assessment objective and explains what it is asking for as well as some ‘top tips’ for achieving good marks. The lesson would work well after an interim assessment, or when you feel the class needs more urgency/momentum. I have also used this in an observed lesson to ensure it is clear how students are making progress. A copy of slide number 11 should be printed off for each student.

This A3 PDF page is an interactive mind-map designed to be a starting point for students' exploration of the theme. There are over 50 artists on the mind-map, organised in to sub-themes. Can be used in a digital form and you can click on the artist names to link to examples of relevant work on the internet, or printed out and annotated by individual students to develop their ideas. This is a fun way to get students exploring a wide range of artists and designers from different time periods, working in different media...

A fun Pop Art word search PDF with key terms relevant to this art movement. These print well at A5 (two to an A4 sheet) so are an economical, fun way to embed student learning on Pop Art.

An A4 PDF file with key questions for student evaluations. Presented in an accessible and engaging way, this is a handy reminder to art students of the areas they should cover in a meaningful project evaluation. Tried and tested - I have found students respond very well and think carefully about their answers which has a positive impact on the next project!

An A4 printable word search featuring 15 women artists to celebrate International Women's Day: March 8th 2017. A quick and easy way to make IWD a feature in your classroom this year!

An A3 pdf poster for artroom display to support students’ understanding of the Assessment Objectives. This version uses the ‘new specification’ wording (for year 10 students now) - a version with the ‘old spec’ wording is also available in my shop, though there is not too much difference between them! 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 how they are assessed for both coursework and exam projects. The pdf can be printed at A3 size or reduced down to A4.

An infographic designed as a reminder to students (KS3, 4 or5) about how to put together artist research to support their practical project. Six simple steps with short explanations which can be used as a checklist. You can print as a bookmark to pop into sketchbooks or display in the classroom. There are two versions - one with a Mondrian quote at the bottom, the other without - your choice.

A presentation and accompanying worksheet / booklet for use with students when reviewing an exhibition. This was designed for KS3 students looking at a GCSE Art exhibition in the school, but could be used for GCSE students exploring an A level show, or for a class visiting an exhibition at a museum or gallery. There are three versions of the worksheet which have been differentiated for lower, mid and high ability students. The lesson finishes with students sharing their reviews and giving feedback to one another. I have found this to be a successful way to structure and focus the opportunity of getting students to look at the artwork of those in the years above (and incidentally to get them excited about studying Art at GCSE themselves!).

I put together these artist quotes to develop students’ understanding of what drawing can be and why it is important in art. The powerpoint can be printed as individual sheets and displayed in the classroom. Eleven thought-provoking quotes.

This is a powerpoint presentation of photographs of a successful Foundation application portfolio. The sheets are A1 in reality but they have been photographed and put into a presentation to show students preparing their own portfolio as guidance, example and discussion points. The portfolio was accepted to Central St Martins, along with other universities to study on a Foundation course.

One page worksheet with background on the printing method and then instructions on how to create a collograph. Good for student reference in a practical session. Could be used at Key Stage 3, 4 or 5 in a workshop or to help students who are looking into this process for independent work.

This lesson starts with a little scientific introduction on snowflakes and then gives step by step instructions on how to cut beautiful hexagonal paper snowflakes (much better than the doily type you may have seen before!). There are example templates you can print out to help with differentiation. Students are blown away by what they’ve made and the resulting flakes can be displayed on black sugar paper or hung in the classroom (try darkening the room and using a torch to explore the shadows…). Perfect for a one-off lesson in science, design or art, or a tutor group session - without too many fiddly resources!

These learning disposition stickers have been useful in my Art lessons to make the skills we are developing in a lesson explicit to students. They have been incorporated in the lesson objectives and the plenary and as a result, students have become more resilient in their approach to challenges in their work. Developed from Building Learning Power reading, I have found this language has been effective in improving attitudes to learning. Sticker sheets can be printed onto Avery L7651 stickers . This presentation could also be adapted for use in staff training / CPD.

This works best with a group between 5 to 15 students. You can use it as a prompt to consider what creativity means or as a way of getting students to think a bit more laterally… or just to bring a bit of energy to their ideas about a new theme. I have used this ‘creativity test’ with GCSE and A level students but never as a serious graded test - it is intended more as a fun or provocative activity. It is based on one way of assessing creativity where you consider four categories of thinking: orginality, fluency, flexibility and elaboration. The scoring (instructions are in the presentation) can take some time, but once students get the hang it gets quicker. The presentation gives an example at the beginning and then you give students a fixed time (say 3 minutes) to write uses for each new object (without discussing). It could be an interesting starter for a CPD event too…

Originally designed to accompany a workshop to introduce Primary teachers to some quick and easy printmaking techniques, this sheet summarises the ‘how to’ and gives instructions for materials and well as variations on approaches to both monoprinting and polyblock printing. A good starting point for teachers new to these techniques, or used as a handout to accompany a printing workshop for students, this 2 page resources covers the basics as well as giving some useful weblinks for further investigation. I have uploaded both Word and PDF versions of the same sheet as sometimes the formatting on Word can go a bit wonky!

This is a one-page handout designed for GCSE Art and Design students to support them in pacing themselves through the preparation period for their exam. The sheet gives week by week advice on what they should be doing in order to arrive at the exam day ready! Students can use the sheet to support independent study and to tick off as they complete tasks. It is also a useful way of communicating the expected progress students should be making to parents… This sheet could also be easily adapted for A level students if needed. A quick an easy sheet to photocopy and pop in sketchbooks to get young artists off to an enthusiastic start with their exam. I have uploaded a Word version so you can edit it (this one is for AQA exam board and mentions in week 1 that students should choose their question) or the more ‘designed’ version which is a PDF (printable as an A3 poster).

This poster can be printed A3 or A4 sized for display in the classroom or for handing out for students. A helpful reminder of the elements needed to put together a successful project for GCSE students. Although not expressed in terms of the assessment objectives (for a change!), the elements correspond to the requirements of the exam board specifications, and present the information in a new and accessible way.

A useful reminder to students of the elements needed for a brilliant art project. Not written in terms of assessment objectives (for a change!) this infographic does correspond to the AO's but designed to present a more intuitive process, reminding students of the balance of research, skill and creativity required.