A fun art ‘colour’ word search PDF with more unusual names of colours to find - azure, chartreuse, coral, crimson etc.). These print well at A5 (two to an A4 sheet) so are an economical, fun way to embed student learning on literacy, extending vocabulary on any colour-related scheme of work. Quotes from Joseph Albers, Sonia Delaunay and Georges Braque also encourage critical thinking on colour.

A great printable handout giving background on the photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand (author of the Earth from the Air photo book raising environmental awareness). The A4 sheet has two pages and includes a comprehension task, instructions for a practical mapping activity, a word search and ideas for further development. Perfect for a whole class activity linking to projects on photography, pattern, environmental art, landscape or mapping. Also great for a cover lesson, independent study or extension task. Thousands of Arthus-Bertrand’s photographs are available online - his website is a good place to start: http://www.yannarthusbertrand2.org Students are really inspired by these fascinating photographs which are also great for making cross-curricular links.

A fun clay vocabulary word search PDF with 12 vocabulary terms to find relating to ceramics. These print well at A5 (two to an A4 sheet) so are an economical, fun way to embed student learning, building on literacy, extending vocabulary with any clay scheme of work.

A useful poster to point students in the right direction with web research. The PDF file is interactive - you click on the text to link to websites. Or you can print and display next to departmental computers.

A fun Pop Art word search PDF with key terms relevant to this art movement. These print well at A5 (two to an A4 sheet) so are an economical, fun way to embed student learning on Pop Art.

An A4 printable word search featuring 15 women artists to celebrate International Women's Day: March 8th 2017. A quick and easy way to make IWD a feature in your classroom this year!

This A3 PDF page is an interactive mind-map designed to be a starting point for students’ exploration of the theme. I have used some of the key words from the ESA paper as a starting point. Click on the artist names to link to examples of relevant work on the internet. This is a fun way to get students exploring a wide range of artists and designers from different time periods, working in different media…

An infographic designed as a reminder to students (KS3, 4 or5) about how to put together artist research to support their practical project. Six simple steps with short explanations which can be used as a checklist. You can print as a bookmark to pop into sketchbooks or display in the classroom. There are two versions - one with a Mondrian quote at the bottom, the other without - your choice.

A presentation and accompanying worksheet / booklet for use with students when reviewing an exhibition. This was designed for KS3 students looking at a GCSE Art exhibition in the school, but could be used for GCSE students exploring an A level show, or for a class visiting an exhibition at a museum or gallery. There are three versions of the worksheet which have been differentiated for lower, mid and high ability students. The lesson finishes with students sharing their reviews and giving feedback to one another. I have found this to be a successful way to structure and focus the opportunity of getting students to look at the artwork of those in the years above (and incidentally to get them excited about studying Art at GCSE themselves!).

Designed initially to support year 12 students with sketchbook annotation, this presentation has also been useful with GCSE and year 13 artists. The presentation provides some discussion points and also some clear directions of the 'what not to do’s of sketchbook annotation. Students are asked to look at some examples of sketchbook annotation, so it is useful if you have some old books - good or not - for analysis and discussion. If not, there are two examples in the presentation you can use. The presentation asks students to then look at their own sketchbooks and set their own independent study task, using what they have learnt. I have found this to be a successful starter for lessons, taking about 25 minutes and encouraging independence.

I put together these artist quotes to develop students’ understanding of what drawing can be and why it is important in art. The powerpoint can be printed as individual sheets and displayed in the classroom. Eleven thought-provoking quotes.

This is a powerpoint presentation of photographs of a successful Foundation application portfolio. The sheets are A1 in reality but they have been photographed and put into a presentation to show students preparing their own portfolio as guidance, example and discussion points. The portfolio was accepted to Central St Martins, along with other universities to study on a Foundation course.

A level art and design students have found the Pecha Kucha format a useful way to get edit their ideas and thoughts ready for peer critique sessions. They have developed skills in speaking about their work as well as found the process of selecting and combining images helpful. This presentation introduces the format with a little background, instructions on putting together the powerpoint and then provides an exemplar.

This lesson starts with a little scientific introduction on snowflakes and then gives step by step instructions on how to cut beautiful hexagonal paper snowflakes (much better than the doily type you may have seen before!). There are example templates you can print out to help with differentiation. Students are blown away by what they’ve made and the resulting flakes can be displayed on black sugar paper or hung in the classroom (try darkening the room and using a torch to explore the shadows…). Perfect for a one-off lesson in science, design or art, or a tutor group session - without too many fiddly resources!

These learning disposition stickers have been useful in my Art lessons to make the skills we are developing in a lesson explicit to students. They have been incorporated in the lesson objectives and the plenary and as a result, students have become more resilient in their approach to challenges in their work. Developed from Building Learning Power reading, I have found this language has been effective in improving attitudes to learning. Sticker sheets can be printed onto Avery L7651 stickers . This presentation could also be adapted for use in staff training / CPD.

This works best with a group between 5 to 15 students. You can use it as a prompt to consider what creativity means or as a way of getting students to think a bit more laterally… or just to bring a bit of energy to their ideas about a new theme. I have used this ‘creativity test’ with GCSE and A level students but never as a serious graded test - it is intended more as a fun or provocative activity. It is based on one way of assessing creativity where you consider four categories of thinking: orginality, fluency, flexibility and elaboration. The scoring (instructions are in the presentation) can take some time, but once students get the hang it gets quicker. The presentation gives an example at the beginning and then you give students a fixed time (say 3 minutes) to write uses for each new object (without discussing). It could be an interesting starter for a CPD event too…

Resources to support felt making in the classroom. There is an instruction sheet and a information sheet on felt making craft traditions around the world with a corresponding sheet with comprehension questions for students. Felt making is a brilliant textile craft to bring into lessons as it is very tactile and a ‘magic’ process whereby the materials transform as you work them. Resources needed for felt making are listed, and it should be possible to create a small sample piece over two lessons (one dry lesson, where the piece is created, and one wet lesson where it is felted). Originally created for a year 9 group, this could be used with GCSE students as a workshop too.

This is a one-page handout designed for GCSE Art and Design students to support them in pacing themselves through the preparation period for their exam. The sheet gives week by week advice on what they should be doing in order to arrive at the exam day ready! Students can use the sheet to support independent study and to tick off as they complete tasks. It is also a useful way of communicating the expected progress students should be making to parents… This sheet could also be easily adapted for A level students if needed. A quick an easy sheet to photocopy and pop in sketchbooks to get young artists off to an enthusiastic start with their exam. I have uploaded a Word version so you can edit it (this one is for AQA exam board and mentions in week 1 that students should choose their question) or the more ‘designed’ version which is a PDF (printable as an A3 poster).

This poster can be printed A3 or A4 sized for display in the classroom or for handing out for students. A helpful reminder of the elements needed to put together a successful project for GCSE students. Although not expressed in terms of the assessment objectives (for a change!), the elements correspond to the requirements of the exam board specifications, and present the information in a new and accessible way.