Lesson plan for 'visual literacy'
Plan for one weeks Literacy Hour work using artworks rather than a text.
This lesson plan takes a very different approach to literacy hour than the normal model. There is no big book, no phonic focus, no guided reading. It makes a very refreshing break from the norm and introduces the children to some interesting concepts. The majority of the work is either done as a whole class or in four mixed ability groups.This series of lessons is based upon ideas supplied by, and inspiration given by Mary Schley - Hampshire County Art Inspector and Ken Wilby - Hampshire County English Inspector during an Art and Literacy training day at Marwell Safari Lodge in October 1999.
Two main images were used: 'Holiday, The Picnic' by James Tissot and 'Experiment on a Bird in an Air Pump' by Joseph Wright of Derby. The pictures are best if colour copied on to an A3 acetate and laminated. This can then be projected by OHP onto a screen or bright classroom wall, giving a splendidly luminous image. A3 laminated colour copies may be used if an OHP is not available.
A selection of 40 A4 reproductions of artworks is also needed.
Click on the thumbnail for a large version of the paintings used in these lessons.
Holiday, the Picnic by James Tissot
Experiment on a bird in an air pump by Joseph Wright of Derby
MONDAY Introduce the concept of visual literacy. (5 mins) The position word activity - Whole class working individually.
Focus - Use and understanding of prepositions.
Teacher explores prepositions with children. Explain that they are position words which come before a noun. Make observations around the clasroom: 'What is under the blackboard?' 'What is next to the cupboard?'
Give each child a blank A4 sheet and a drawing pencil. The teacher reads out a description of the Tissot picture. Children use the description and their knowledge of the prepositions to draw the picture being described. The criteria for success wil be the position of the people/objects within the picture rather than the realism or accuracy of the objects drawn. (20 mins)
Class comes together on the carpet. The teacher shows children the picture. Compare their version with the real thing. How close was their picture? What mistakes had they made? Had they understood the prepositions? (10 mins)
Discuss the picture - Whole class Focus - Speaking and Listening.
Question the children about the picture. Is it a photograph? If not, how was it made? When was it made? What is happening in the picture? Is it a celebration - if so, what are they celebrating? Whereabouts are they? Who is the host? What time of year is it? Allow the children to guide the direction of the discussion. (20 mins)
Plenary - Whole class Do they like the picture? is their as much of a story in the picture as there could be in a book? (5 mins)
