A set of images of extreme facial expression to use for drawing - images of sculptures featuring the work of Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, Bernini and Rodin. I've used these with year 9 and above - and find that getting students to draw from sculptures offers them a start in seeing where the essential forms are through tonal changes without being distracted by detail - the withdrawal away from the reality of a basic photograph of a face seems to help in achieving more expressive and stronger drawing. The powerpoint contains 22 images of facial expressions in sculptures and links to information. This can form the basis of a set of lessons that lead into their own explorations of facial expression through their own direct observations. The expressions can cause some smiles too.

A nicely constructed essay on "Structures and Abstraction" to show students beginning the written element of their personal Investigation with a good mix of research and gallery visits to inform the personal response. The student uses quotation well to set up opportunities to comment and develop ideas further, supported by examples of their own work. Also includes the student's own photos of work seen in galleries such as the Mondrian on this cover image.

A starter activity to generate discussion, analysis and reasoning. Leave the decision on criteria for best to the students

A lesson with a starter activity which focuses students on how artists communicate ideas in different ways as well as understanding that when they look at an image it is usually communicating a story, a concept, a response to something. Students are then guided to explore a discussion question relating to how artists use text in their work with a list of suggested sources. The slides have notes accompanying to prompt discussion and there are opportunities to dwell on issues of equality and diversity. This lesson is aimed at GCSE and A Level to boost response to AO1 to show extended informed comments and discussion rather than the usual biographical information on one artist.

I've found that students fond it easier to draw from sculpture source images as they can focus on the tonal aspects without being distracted by detail. This resource consists of 36 images of hands from sculpture by Rodin, Michelangelo and Bernini. It leads into suggested drawing approaches students can then adopt from direct from observation, or from photos of their own and classmates hands. These images allow students to focus on essentials of drawing - large scale charcoal drawings look really good from these, and give students confidence. This is great for any project on the figure and hits AO1 as well as AO3

A starter activity to engage students and help them think outside the box. I've always found that odd collections of images are of much interest to all students and helps them to try to spot connections, which develops thinking skills and the nature of the activity in making guesses throws up really interesting and unexpected ideas which helps to generate interesting discussion. Working in small groups of mixed ability helps in bringing out ideas and seeing how ideas can be explored in different ways. Suitable for any secondary stage, good for GCSE and A level as a way of processing possible ideas. This is on a power point slide with notes accompanying, and if you search for the Fatboy Slim video it acts as a clue and thinking time.

A fun starter to engage boys in particular in discussion - the points in discussion can be directed towards design, comfort, clean etc to prompt the refinement of the definition of "best"

An essay to accompany the Personal Investigation component for Art Level Photography - a good example for students

A feedback sheet for internal assessment and feedback, including comment box and tick boxes for AFL.

A fun starter to engage them as soon as they arrive and a good one to tick the equality and diversity box with opportunities to discuss gender and the way men and women tackle subject matter, challenging stereotypical view points. Really good for generating discussion with A Level and GCSE classes, and I've also used it in PSHE lessons to good effect.

A good intervention lesson to use an approach of looking at close up details of paintings to show a better understanding of techniques and approaches. The lesson has a starter to engage students on entry and stimulates curiosity in identifying works from close up detail. The task builds to extend responses to explore work relevant to personal project work and so hits AO1 and AO2 nicely. Ideal for KS4 and 5 but will work equally as well if you want to engage younger students in looking at painting

This is a lesson to stimulate thinking skills whilst developing skills in drawing from observation. It requires students to consider what the different elements are in painting and drawing, useful in developing responses for AO1 and 2 at GCSE and A Level

This is a set of 40 close up photographs taken by myself of large scale Hockney Ipad drawings. These form what is a real master class in mark making when working with brushes on the Ipad, and it is easily transferrable to Photoshop. A really useful set of slides for students to focus on the mark making to explore landscape forms in new ways over a set of lessons to stretch their landscape responses. Its super for GCSE and A Level students generating responses to AO1 and 2 - showing a deeper understanding of how Hockney works as well as giving them new approaches in mark making in IT based work. The 40 images are part of a 24 page power point which also has some complete work for students to see the mark making in context.

This always goes well - it gives students a systematic approach to making a seamless repeat pattern. The step by step guide on the power point comes with a starter pattern looking at repeating pattern across different cultures and then focuses on William Morris style repeating process, so a good coverage of AO1 2 and 4. Great for years 7 - 9 but can be done in a simpler version for KS2 also. Good to follow on from some observation drawing sessions on natural forms, but I've used the idea with allsorts of shapes from Cosmic to micro organisms

Good for hitting multi cultural approaches in painting - a lesson with a starter to focus students on different approaches to landscape painting in different countries around the world. I find this one useful to get students thinking in how they might identify places at first which feeds into looking at painting approaches and differences in thinking. Good for any age group and a useful intervention lesson in project work or a session on equality and diversity.

This is a starter activity that encourages curiosity in looking at photography and to stimulate ideas in possible approaches.

A starter activity which develops thinking skills by asking students to consider categorization different to normally expected connections. It will also tick an Equality and Diversity box and allow students to consider issues relevant to them. This can be used with any age group but is particularly good for GCSE and A level and is a great activity to stimulate discussion

A useful little form to help year 1 A Level students focus their ideas as they begin to think about their Personal Investigation

A nice starter for students to think outside the box. Great for getting a positive working atmosphere going and developing thinking skills. great for any subject as something different to start with including tutor time.

A useful starter for Music or Tutor time - keep your students engaged on entry looking for connections between the images. The nature of the Odd One Out starters is to prompt guessing and questioning from the students, so there are no questions on this starter apart from "which is the odd one out?". I find dropping clues in where they get stuck helpful to prompt further looking and guessing. The important thing is not for them to know, or guess the answer but to open up possibilities of thinking for them.