Roman Art and Architecture - Art & Design Autumn 1 2016

Year 4 began by researching general Roman architecture and then studying the 3 different types of Roman columns (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) in more detail. The children drew lots of detailed, notated sketches and used this as a starting point to then design their own clay pots. Everyone chose to make either a coil pot or a thumb pot, and then carved details into it. One main colour was used to paint the pot, whilst experimenting with mixing tints (with white) and tones (with black) and monochromatic colour (shades of one colour). We then created a class slideshow (see below) of our finished designs, complete with speech bubbles for our comments! Our pots are all unique and are beautifully decorated with carved designs!

Pop-up books  Design & Technology  Autumn 2 2016

For this topic, Year 4 began by researching different paper and card mechanisms used in pop-up books. We then made a variety of mechanisms, which included opening flaps, rotating and sliding pictures, and box-folds, which were rather tricky! After practising these mechanisms, Year 4 then designed their own story layouts and chose suitable pop-ups for each page. Finally, the finished book pages were assembled and stapled together. The children invited Year 3 to come and have a look at their books and then they evaluated each others' books.  Everyone was clearly delighted with their accomplishments! Well done Year 4!

Spring 1 - Design and Technology - Shelter from the Flood!

This topic is cross-curricular with the Geography topic of Bangladesh. The criteria for this D and T topic, was to build a suitable shelter for use in Bangladesh.

Year 4 investigated a variety of shelters, and then compared architecture and buildings in the capital city of Dhaka to village structures. We discussed how the climate of monsoons and cyclones, with resultant frequent flooding, affected the need for renewable resources.

The children's task was to build a waterproof shelter, with stilts, using suitable materials. Working in small groups, Year 4 were able to create a wide variety of super shelters, which were all waterproof when tested, and even had furniture!

I am so proud of Year 4's maturity when sawing wood and using a hot glue gun, their great teamwork skills, and of course, their brilliant designs! We could make a series for T.V. called "Amazing Spaces Bangladeshi-style!" We tested our shelter models against the original set criteria, which included testing the stability of the model, and its waterproof qualities. I'm pleased to announce that everyone's models were a complete success, and we didn't spill too much water in the process either!

Spring 2 term - Design and Technology- Anglo-Saxon Textiles

As part of this topic work, Year 4 have investigated the intricate patterns used in Anglo-Saxon jewellery and how similar braided patterns were created in woven designs. 

We researched the methods involved in turning sheep wool into woven cloth, and how natural plant dyes were used to stain the wool different colours. 

Our first activity involved dyeing cotton strips with beetroot, coffee and tea, which was a very messy and smelly process! Next on the agenda, was learning how to plait, using 3 and then 5 strands of wool. Year 4 mastered this art and produced super plaits! Our final challenge, was to create an embroidery, inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. Using binca, embroidery thread (and a lot of perseverance!) the children created beautiful bookmarks and mats, demonstrating a variety of stitches. Some children even created their own stitches. Well done Everyone!

Summer 1 and 2 terms: Young Overseal Artist Award - Living Landscapes

Workshop Day with Alistair Kennedy 24.4.17

During the Summer term, Year 4 are completing art work for their "Young Artist Award." This is our school's own award, which involves working with an artist, exploring a variety of media and holding a final exhibition, to share their art and learning.

The chosen theme for our award is "Living Landscapes",  and in order to inspire ideas and imagination, we had a workshop with local artist, Alistair Kennedy. He has exhibited his work both nationally and internationally, using a variety of media, such as paint, photos and film.

On our workshop day, Alistair shared a selection of his mixed-media paintings with the children and explained how he combines different media to create his art work.  Year 4 completed several  activities with him, such as making viewfinders, sketching outside on the field and experimenting with mark-making. Alistair then demonstrated how to create a mixed-media landscape picture, by building up layers with collage, such as adding pieces of newspaper and corrugated card to create texture.  Year 4 will add paint for large areas of colours and use charcoal and chalk for highlighting details at a later stage. 

Everyone found Alistair inspirational as you can see in the photos below!  

When we have finished our topic work, the exhibition will take place between 2.45 and 3.15 in the school hall, on  20.7.17. Everyone is welcome and I look forward to seeing you there!