ZENTANGLES (Lower Key Stage 2)

Teaching Pack

5 Lesson Presentation Slides
Knowledge Organiser
Medium Term Planning
Teaching resources
Additional Presentation: Elements of Art
Additional Presentation: Using Sketchbooks
Additional Presentation: 5 Minute Drawing
Additional Presentation: Art Museums
Additional Presentation: Museum of Abstract Art

Unit Overview

Sequence of Learning for Teachers

In this unit of work children develop their drawing skills by creating small patterns called Zentangles. This unit of work provides an opportunity to develop and consolidate children’s knowledge and understanding of how the eight elements of art are used to create artwork. In learning that Zentangles are small abstract works of art, children also deepen their understanding of how to create patterns.

This knowledge, skills and understanding is delivered through the following convergent task sessions:

Session 1: Walking the Line

Session 2: Zentangle Collage

Session 3: Squiggles

Session 4: Zentangles

Creative Outcome (Divergent task) – The Great Wave

The unit of work completes with the creative outcome (divergent task) activity that can be delivered over two or more sessions. These sessions can also be used for children to complete activities from sessions 1-4. For the creative outcome children learn about the iconic artwork The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai. They use this artwork as the starting point for their own interpretation of this iconic work of art. They apply a range of skills and techniques to create a mixed media composition depicting the Great Wave.

The creative outcome activity provides an opportunity for children to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding from previous sessions in this unit of work. Through the creative outcome children will develop their creativity and understanding of the creative process by combining their imagination with the knowledge they have acquired.

Learning Sequence

Session 1

In this session children are introduced to pattern and how patterns are created by repeating line, shape and colour. For the creative activity children take a 'line for a walk' to create a simple tangle pattern. Having recalled their knowledge of colour theory and colour mixing, they add blocks of paint colour to their tangle pattern.

Session 2

In this session children create a complex pattern using collage techniques. They stick different line and shape patterns on to a sheet of paper to create a collage pattern to which they then add colour to create an abstract work of art. This provides an opportunity to introduce the children to the genre of abstract art.

Session 3

In this session children deepens children's knowledge of pattern and abstract art. Children have the opportunity to create a range of different line patterns to consolidate their understanding of pattern. Building on their learning from session 1, they create a more complex pattern when 'taking a line for a walk' and complete the tangle pattern using blocks of colour and line patterns.

Session 4

In this session children learn the technique of blending colours using pencils and paints. This provides an opportunity to learn about analogous colours on the colour wheel. For the creative activity they draw around an object such as a leaf or their hand and then fill this outline with different Zentangle patterns. Finally they finish their abstract art by creating a blended outline.

Creative Outcome

For the creative outcome children create their own version of the iconic print ' The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai. Having learnt about this iconic piece of art the children use collage and mixed media techniques to create their own version.

ART ACADEMY