Turton Tower

 

One of our favourite school trips was to Turton Tower near Bolton in Lancashire, a wonderful old house that evolved as a family home over the course of more than 500 years. The staff there knew us well and allowed our children free run of the whole property, with plenty of time to sit, write, draw and soak up the atmosphere. (But no actual running!)

(For anyone interested, notes on the teaching approaches that helped children towards these outcomes are on the COMMENTARY PAGES of this blog.)

Twiggy bits

(For anyone interested, notes on the teaching approaches that helped children towards these outcomes are on the COMMENTARY PAGES of this blog.)

Bits of a bicycle

As simple a thing as asking one of the children to bring their bike into the classroom made from a very absorbing and productive art session.

This class of experienced Y6 artists made their own choice of drawing material (pencil, pen or oil pastel) and my initial assurance that they did not need to draw the whole bicycle, but, if they wished, could zoom in on just part of it, seemed to add confidence, making the task seem less daunting. Suggesting they stuck to black and white (like an old photo) and ignored any background, added further to this. 

Of course, at least one of them decided to do the whole bike anyway. But then, each child drawing things in their own way is what it’s all about.

(For anyone interested, notes on the teaching approaches that helped children towards these outcomes are on the COMMENTARY PAGES of this blog.)

Some cut, some potted.

Enough said.

(For anyone interested, notes on the teaching approaches that helped children towards these outcomes are on the COMMENTARY PAGES of this blog.)

African Art experience

Diverse works inspired by traditional art and artefacts from different African countries.

(For anyone interested, notes on the teaching approaches that helped children towards these outcomes are on the COMMENTARY PAGES of this blog.)

In the style of Van Gogh

With Y4 on this occasion, we looked at a number of Van Gogh paintings and talked about the mood he was created and the way he used paint to express his very particular way of seeing. We then took the actual Van Gogh pictures away so that the children worked from memory and what they had learned. Their images were, therefore, not trying to be direct copies of Van Gogh, but their own impression of his ‘impression’.

This is not, of course, particular individual creative work, but I think that this type of experience, from time to time, helps expand children’s awareness of possible approaches and what painting can be. Hopefully, this will help them build the confidence to create their own impression of the world they experience. 

(For anyone interested, notes on the teaching approaches that helped children towards these outcomes are on the COMMENTARY PAGES of this blog.)

Y3 paintings by inspired Australian Aboriginal Art

(For anyone interested, notes on the teaching approaches that helped children towards these outcomes are on the COMMENTARY PAGES of this blog.)