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Browse by Grade: Year 7

United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets

Year 7 Art and Design

A comprehensive introductory course focusing on the transition from primary to secondary art practice. Students develop technical mastery of the formal elements while exploring diverse cultural perspectives and critical analysis techniques.

7 units·53 topics·Ages 11-12

01The Language of Line and Mark-Making

8 topics·Autumn Term

Students explore the fundamental building blocks of drawing by experimenting with varied media and expressive line quality.

Observational Drawing Foundations

Developing the ability to record from direct observation using continuous line and blind contour techniques.

Gallery WalkPeer Teaching
Expressive Mark-Making

Investigating how different tools and physical gestures create emotive textures on paper.

Gallery WalkExperiential Learning
Tone and Form

Using light and shadow to transform two dimensional shapes into three dimensional forms.

Stations RotationGallery Walk
Compositional Balance and Emphasis

Exploring principles of design to arrange elements effectively within a frame, creating visual harmony or tension.

Concept MappingGallery Walk
Texture: Visual and Tactile

Investigating how to represent different textures visually and exploring materials with distinct tactile qualities.

Stations RotationExperiential Learning
Introduction to Perspective

Learning basic one-point perspective to create the illusion of depth and space on a two-dimensional surface.

Peer TeachingProblem-Based Learning
Gesture Drawing for Movement

Practicing quick, expressive drawings to capture the essence of a subject's form and movement.

Experiential LearningGallery Walk
Scribble and Contour Drawing

Exploring the interplay between continuous line and free-form scribbling to define form and texture.

Stations RotationThink-Pair-Share

02Color Theory and Cultural Identity

9 topics·Autumn Term

An exploration of color mixing, color psychology, and how different cultures utilize palette to express heritage.

The Mechanics of Color Mixing

Mastering the color wheel, including primary, secondary, and tertiary relationships alongside tints and shades.

Peer TeachingStations Rotation
Symbolism and Emotion in Color

Analyzing how artists use color to evoke specific moods and psychological responses in the viewer.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Pattern and Heritage

Examining traditional patterns from Islamic art or African textiles to understand repetition and symmetry.

Museum ExhibitCase Study Analysis
Color in Landscape Painting

Exploring how artists use color to depict atmosphere, time of day, and seasonal changes in landscapes.

Gallery WalkCase Study Analysis
Abstract Color Exploration

Experimenting with non-representational color application to express feelings or ideas without specific imagery.

Experiential LearningCarousel Brainstorm
Folk Art and Regional Palettes

Investigating how local materials and traditions influence color choices in folk art from different regions.

Museum ExhibitJigsaw
Color and Light Interaction

Exploring how light sources affect the perception of color and how artists capture these effects.

Experiential LearningCase Study Analysis
Monochromatic and Analogous Schemes

Understanding how to create harmony and mood using variations of a single color or colors adjacent on the wheel.

Stations RotationPeer Teaching
Complementary Color Contrasts

Investigating the dynamic visual effects created by pairing colors opposite each other on the color wheel.

Experiential LearningGallery Walk

03Sculpture and Spatial Awareness

8 topics·Spring Term

Moving from the page into the physical world by exploring 3D construction and the manipulation of materials.

Cardboard Engineering

Learning structural techniques like slotting, tabs, and flanges to build stable 3D structures.

Problem-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-Solving
Clay and Tactile Surface

Introduction to ceramic hand-building techniques including pinch pots and slab construction.

Peer TeachingStations Rotation
Installation Art and Environment

Considering how art can interact with a specific location or transform a room.

Concept MappingCarousel Brainstorm
Found Object Sculpture

Creating sculptures by assembling discarded or everyday objects, exploring new meanings and forms.

Project-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-Solving
Relief Sculpture Techniques

Exploring how to create forms that project from a flat background, using materials like plaster or clay.

Stations RotationPeer Teaching
Public Art and Community

Investigating the role of public sculptures and murals in shaping community identity and urban spaces.

Case Study AnalysisTown Hall Meeting
Armature Construction

Learning to build internal support structures for sculptures using wire or other materials.

Problem-Based LearningStations Rotation
Kinetic Sculpture

Exploring sculptures that incorporate movement, either through natural forces or mechanical means.

Project-Based LearningExperiential Learning

04The Art of the Portrait

8 topics·Spring Term

Investigating human identity through facial proportions, self-expression, and the history of portraiture.

Anatomy and Proportion

Mapping the mathematical relationships of the human face to achieve realistic representation.

Gallery WalkDecision Matrix
Self-Expression and Identity

Creating self-portraits that use symbolic objects and colors to represent personality beyond physical appearance.

Role PlayCase Study Analysis
Portraits Through Time

Comparing traditional oil portraiture with contemporary digital and photographic approaches.

Case Study AnalysisGallery Walk
Caricature and Exaggeration

Exploring how artists exaggerate features to create humorous or critical portraits, focusing on observation and distortion.

Think-Pair-ShareRole Play
The Gaze and Viewer Interaction

Investigating how the subject's gaze in a portrait influences the viewer's experience and interpretation.

Socratic SeminarGallery Walk
Symbolism in Portraiture

Examining how artists incorporate objects, clothing, and settings to convey deeper meanings about the sitter.

Case Study AnalysisConcept Mapping
Expressive Portraiture

Experimenting with non-realistic colors, distorted forms, and bold brushstrokes to convey emotion in portraits.

Experiential LearningCarousel Brainstorm
Group Portraits and Relationships

Investigating how artists arrange multiple figures in a portrait to depict relationships and social dynamics.

Case Study AnalysisThink-Pair-Share

05Printmaking and Multiples

7 topics·Summer Term

Exploring the technical processes of relief printing and the impact of reproducible art on society.

Lino and Relief Techniques

Safely using cutting tools to create blocks for printing and understanding the concept of the 'negative image'.

Peer TeachingStations Rotation
Pop Art and Mass Production

Studying the work of Andy Warhol and the movement that blurred the lines between high art and commercial culture.

Gallery WalkProject-Based Learning
Monoprinting and Layering

Experimenting with one-off prints and layering different media to create complex visual textures.

Gallery WalkExperiential Learning
Stenciling and Graffiti Art

Exploring stencil techniques and their application in street art, examining themes of social commentary and public space.

Case Study AnalysisGraffiti Wall
Collagraphy: Texture Prints

Creating collagraph plates using various textured materials to produce unique prints with rich surface qualities.

Stations RotationProblem-Based Learning
Artist Books and Zines

Investigating the concept of art as a reproducible object through the creation of small-scale, handmade books or zines.

Project-Based LearningPeer Teaching
Screen Printing Basics

Introduction to the fundamental concepts of screen printing, including stencil creation and ink application.

Flipped ClassroomStations Rotation

06The Natural World: Ethics and Aesthetics

6 topics·Summer Term

Using nature as a primary source for art-making while considering environmental impact and sustainability.

Botanical Illustration

Focusing on the intricate details and scientific accuracy found in the study of plants and insects.

Experiential LearningGallery Walk
Land Art and Ephemeral Works

Studying artists like Andy Goldsworthy who create temporary sculptures using only found natural materials.

Experiential LearningCase Study Analysis
Sustainable Practice

Investigating how artists can reduce their environmental footprint by using recycled materials and natural pigments.

Stations RotationProject-Based Learning
Animal Forms and Movement

Observational drawing and sculptural studies of animal anatomy and capturing dynamic movement.

Experiential LearningGallery Walk
Microscopic Worlds in Art

Exploring how artists interpret and represent the unseen details of nature, from cells to microorganisms.

Case Study AnalysisConcept Mapping
Art and Climate Change

Investigating how contemporary artists use their work to raise awareness about environmental issues and climate change.

Formal DebateProject-Based Learning

07Digital Art and Media

7 topics·Summer Term

An introduction to digital tools and techniques for creating and manipulating images, exploring new artistic possibilities.

Introduction to Digital Drawing

Learning basic drawing tools and layers in digital art software to create simple illustrations.

Flipped ClassroomPeer Teaching
Photo Manipulation and Collage

Using digital software to combine and alter photographic images, exploring themes of reality and illusion.

Project-Based LearningThink-Pair-Share
Pixel Art and Retro Aesthetics

Exploring the history and techniques of pixel art, understanding its constraints and unique visual appeal.

Case Study AnalysisProblem-Based Learning
Introduction to Animation

Creating simple stop-motion or flipbook animations to understand the principles of movement and sequence.

Project-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-Solving
Digital Storytelling

Combining images, text, and sound to create short digital narratives or visual poems.

Project-Based LearningPeer Teaching
Vector Graphics Basics

Understanding the difference between raster and vector images and creating simple vector shapes and designs.

Flipped ClassroomProblem-Based Learning
Digital Painting Techniques

Exploring various digital brushes and blending modes to simulate traditional painting effects.

Experiential LearningPeer Teaching