Lesson Plan for Year 3 - Art - Printmaking

### Year 3 Art Lesson Plan: Introduction to Printmaking **Lesson Title:** Introduction to Printmaking **Grade Level:** Year 3 **Duration:** 1 hour **Topic:** Printmaking **Learning Objectives:** 1. Understand the concept of printmaking and its basic techniques. 2. Explore different textures and patterns to create an interesting print. 3. Develop fine motor skills and creativity through hands-on activities. 4. Appreciate printmaking as a form of artistic expression. **Materials Needed:** - Polystyrene sheets (or foam sheets) - Pencils - Printing ink or paint - Brayers (rollers) - Palettes or flat plates (for spreading ink) - A4 white papers - Craft sticks (optional) - Newspaper or table covers (to protect surfaces) - Aprons (to protect clothing) **Lesson Outline:** **1. Introduction (10 minutes):** - Begin with a brief discussion about printmaking. Explain that printmaking is a way of creating art by making prints on paper or fabric. - Show examples of prints made by famous artists (e.g., Albrecht Dürer, Katsushika Hokusai) and discuss the differences between these prints and hand-drawn pictures. - Explain the concept of creating a mirror image when making prints. **2. Demonstration (10 minutes):** - Show the students the materials they will be using. - Demonstrate how to create a design on a polystyrene sheet using a pencil. - Emphasise that they should press firmly but not too hard to avoid tearing the foam. - Demonstrate how to apply ink to the polystyrene sheet using a brayer. - Roll out the ink on a palette until it is even and smooth. - Show how to place a sheet of paper on top of the inked polystyrene and press down evenly to transfer the ink. - Use hands or a craft stick to ensure even pressure. - Carefully peel the paper back to reveal the print. **3. Activity (30 minutes):** - Distribute the materials to the students. - Have the students create their own designs on the polystyrene sheets. - Encourage them to think about texture and patterns rather than just drawing pictures. - Once their designs are ready, guide them to apply ink and make their prints. - Allow each student to make multiple prints if time permits. **4. Clean Up (5 minutes):** - Ensure students clean their work areas and return all tools and materials to their proper places. - Collect and store the polystyrene sheets for future use. **5. Reflection and Sharing (5 minutes):** - Display the students' prints on a wall or board. - Have a quick gallery walk where students can view each other's work. - Ask the students to share what they enjoyed most about printmaking and what challenges they faced. **Assessment:** - Observe students' engagement and creativity during the activity. - Check the completed prints for understanding of the techniques demonstrated. - Ask students to explain their process and what they learned during the reflection part. **Extension Activities:** - Repeat the activity with different themes or materials (e.g., using leaves or other textures). - Explore historical and cultural contexts of printmaking in different parts of the world. - Create a collaborative printmaking project to be displayed in the school. ### Notes for the Teacher: - Remind students about safety when handling inks and tools. - Provide additional support for students who may need help with fine motor skills. - Encourage creativity and experimentation with different designs and textures. ### Resources: - [The Tate Kids Website](https://www.tate.org.uk/kids) – for more art activities and examples - [National Gallery of Art Kids](https://www.nga.gov/education/kids.html) – for educational resources and printmaking concepts Enjoy making prints with your students and watching their creativity come alive through this engaging art form!