This Art and Design scheme of work video is part of a lesson in which pupils create a personal self-portrait that combines drawing with poetry or text—turning a simple line into something expressive and meaningful.

Children will begin by drawing a portrait using a continuous line. They can work from a photograph, a screen image or by observing a partner. Pupils are encouraged to capture not just outlines, but also shadows and shapes. Once the line drawing is complete, a sheet of tracing paper is placed over it. Pupils then write their poem or chosen text along the lines of their drawing, following the movement of the pencil. Words can be repeated, stretched or layered. It will turn writing into part of the artwork.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Year 5 Portraits unit. It helps pupils explore identity through creativity and language.

See more of our Year 5 Art and design scheme of work.

Art and design, Year 5, Painting and mixed media: Portraits, Lesson 1: Poem portrait.