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Arts week 17.2.03

The National Gallery 'Take one picture' - The stonemason's yard by Canaletto

We used the picture, given by the National Gallery, as a stimulus for lessons across the curriculum.

Have a look at some of the activities the Upper School children experienced during the week.

'The Stonemason's Yard' By Canaletto.

Reveal Picture:
Using the OHP and a piece of folded paper. Show the children sections of the picture and ask them to A: Describe what is in the picture, B: what they think the picture could be about.

Pick a Character:
Look at all the different characters in the picture and work out what we know about each character and make a reasonable guess about the things we don't know about them. Each child should then pick their favourite character and explain why.

Extend Picture:
With their own small black and white photocopy of the picture extend the picture to the right and to the left. Trying to get a variety of shades and tones with the pencils.

English Conversation:
In pairs pick two characters in the picture that could be having a conversation. Write the conversation using correct punctuation and layout for a conversation/script.
This then needs to be edited and then performed using expression.

Music:
List all the sounds that could be going on in the picture. Then try and recreate some of these sounds using a range of instruments. Then split into groups in different parts of the hall with a range of instruments and get them to recreate the picture in sounds. Noting down a pictorial score if appropriate.

Symmetry in the environment
Review what symmetry is. Split the class into 3 groups to walk around the inside and outside of school, sketching or photographing anything that has symmetry. When back in class sketches can be drawn up and displayed vertically or horizontally along a line.

Stone Sculpture visit
Walk the children over to Priestlands to look at the stone sculpture outside the Guerny Dixon. The sculpture is of Noah's ark. Get the children to sketch different bits of the sculpture. When back at class look at a range of other stone sculptures. If there is time brainstorm a list of things that the stonemason in the picture could have been making and draw some of them.

Art

Yr 5 and 6 used stones from our environment to create a paperweight. Each child chose the shape and size of stone that they would like, before experimenting with designs for their paperweight. Once the designs were finalised they were painted on. Once dry the stones were then varnished. Finally the children chose a colour of felt to put on the bottom of the stone.

I.C.T:
Explain to the children that they are going to design on the computer their own gondola. Look at picture and page on computer in folder labelled gondola to help them with ideas. Use Fresco to make their own gondola design.

 

Lower school

Art

Look at the characters in the picture. Sketch using shading and tone. Complete picture by making a frame out of stones.

Art

Study the skyline of the Stonemason's yard. Take some rubbings from the environment and make own skylines using different textures.

Drama

Look at characters in the picture. Think about what the characters might be saying or doing next.

 

During Arts Week Jane Saville, a local artist, came into school to show the teachers and children how to make a clay tile. The tiles would become part of a mural on the new Creative Arts building. Before meeting up with Jane all of the children designed their tile, for which the inspiration was our school, its heritage and environment.
Jane had chosen a range of coloured clays to make the tiles and slips to decorate the tiles in, rather than glaze them. First we rolled out the clay using batons to make sure they were all the same height. Then we cut round a template for the back of the tile. We drew round our design in different coloured clay and then attached it to the back of the tile. Finally we decorated the tile with coloured slip. After they had been fired, Jane arranged all of the tiles into a pattern and then Mr Jenvey put them up on the new building. The tile mural was ready for the grand opening of the new building.