Year 1: Inspired By Shapes - Activities

Activity	Resources	Relation to National Curriculum
Activity 1 Exploring Shapes	Shape Identification Cards Bag of everyday items with different shapes Paper Coloured Pens Paint Paint brushes	Ar1/1.3 to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, line, shape and space Ma1/3.2a recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including: i. 2-D shapes ii. 3-D shapes Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
Activity 2 Concentric Circles	Colours And Shapes Video Squares With Concentric Circles Artwork Square piece of paper Pencil Coloured poster paint Paint brush	Ar1/1.3 to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, line, shape and space Ar1/1.4 about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work. Ma1/3.2a recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including: i. 2-D shapes ii. 3-D shapes
Activity 3 Squares And Rectangles	Inspired By Mondrian Video Artwork By Mondrian A4 paper Black marker / black pastel Ruler Coloured poster paint Paint brushes	Ar1/1.2 to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination Ar1/1.4 about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work. Ma1/3.2a recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including: i. 2-D shapes ii. 3-D shapes
Activity 4 Kandinsky Shapes	Kandinsky Shapes Video Yellow, Red, Blue Artwork Coloured paper Scissors Glue Black marker pen Ruler	Ar1/1.3 to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space Ar1/1.4 about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work. Ma1/3.2a recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including: i. 2-D shapes ii. 3-D shapes

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Resources

Relation to National Curriculum

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Activity 1

Exploring Shapes

Shape Identification Cards
Bag of everyday items with different shapes
Paper
Coloured Pens
Paint
Paint brushes

Ar1/1.3 to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, line, shape and space
Ma1/3.2a recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including:
i. 2-D shapes ii. 3-D shapes
Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying

Activity 2

Concentric Circles

Colours And Shapes Video
Squares With Concentric Circles Artwork
Square piece of paper
Pencil
Coloured poster paint
Paint brush

Ar1/1.3 to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, line, shape and space
Ar1/1.4 about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
Ma1/3.2a recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including:
i. 2-D shapes ii. 3-D shapes

Activity 3

Squares And Rectangles

Inspired By Mondrian Video
Artwork By Mondrian
A4 paper
Black marker / black pastel
Ruler
Coloured poster paint
Paint brushes

Ar1/1.2 to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
Ar1/1.4 about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
Ma1/3.2a recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including:
i. 2-D shapes ii. 3-D shapes

Activity 4

Kandinsky Shapes

Kandinsky Shapes Video
Yellow, Red, Blue Artwork
Coloured paper
Scissors
Glue
Black marker pen
Ruler

Ar1/1.3 to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
Ar1/1.4 about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
Ma1/3.2a recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including:
i. 2-D shapes ii. 3-D shapes

How do I use these activities?

Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian were two influential artists who transformed the way art was viewed through their innovative use of shapes and colours. Kandinsky, a Russian painter, believed that art should be free from the constraints of representation, and instead should express emotions and ideas through abstract forms and colours. His work, such as "Composition VIII," is characterized by bold colours and intersecting geometric shapes.

Mondrian, a Dutch painter, was a pioneer of the De Stijl movement, which focused on simplicity and abstraction. His paintings, such as "Composition with Yellow, Blue, and Red," are known for their use of primary colours and straight lines. These artists are great inspirations for children to explore the world of art and experiment with shapes and colours.

There are four engaging activities created for key stage one children to help them learn more about these artists. This resource meets the following aspects of the National Curriculum of England: Art, Mathematics, and Science.

If you are looking for more educational activities for primary ages, you can check out Hands-On Education's website, where you will find videos, activity sheets, and easy-to-understand activity plans on various subjects, including classical poetry, seasons, and storytelling. You can create a free account on their website today to access their exclusive educational materials.

Inspired By Shapes - Activities

Activity 1

Activity 2

Activity 3

Activity 4

How do I use these activities?

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