Learning objective
- To plan how to arrange objects in a still life composition.
Success criteria
- I can explain my artistic choices when planning
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National curriculum
Art and design
Pupils should be
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Cross-curricular links
None.
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
This activity revisits learning from Lesson 3: Tone techniques to help the children recall key knowledge. Pair the children. Show the Presentation: What is still life? Challenge the children to explain what still life is to their partner, using the key words on the presentation: Objects. Carefully arranged. Artists. Do not move.
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Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support:
- Could be given simple objects with limited details or patterns.
- Could be given a reduced number of objects to arrange, focusing on one or two key elements, such as contrasting colours or shapes.
- Could sketch their composition using simple shapes only, without overlapping, to reduce cognitive load.
Pupils working at greater depth
- Should deliberately use contrast (for example, light and dark, large and small or contrasting colours).
- Should explain how their choice of objects and arrangement communicates a personal message to the viewer.
- Could experiment with including draped fabric as an extra challenge.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding can:
- Use art vocabulary to describe elements of composition,
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Vocabulary definitions
-
contrast (Y4)
Using differences like light and dark, big and small or different colours to make something stand out.
-
composition (Y2)
How objects are arranged in an artwork.
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In this unit
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 26th June, 2026
Lesson 5: Still life
Drawing on all the skills they have studied this unit, painting a still life painting...
Lesson 3: Tone techniques
Exploring different ways artists use paint to create tone and experimenting with a range of...
Lesson 1: Tints and shades
Developing understanding of colour theory by mixing tints and shades.
