Year 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) 1/12
Context
 To introduce children to a range of chairs, to begin to discuss their materials and function.
 To look at the work of other artists (Vincent Van Gogh’s The Chair and artwork showing chairs in the
Cecil Higgins Art Gallery’s collection )
 To encourage children to look at chairs in the context of the wider world by beginning a class chair
museum
 ICT (optional) to use ICT to explore the features, materials and functions of chairs found in the Cecil
Higgins Art Gallery
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art

1b Question and make thoughtful observations about starting points and select ideas to use in their
work

1c Collect visual and other information to help them develop their ideas including using a
sketchbook

4b Children should be taught about materials and processes used in art, craft and design and how
these can be matched to ideas and intentions

4c The roles and purposes of artists and craftspeople and designers working in different times and
cultures

5b Using a range of materials and processes including the use of ICT
National Curriculum Level
2/3
Organisation
Class discussion whilst looking at chairs, establishing museum
Individual or paired work when using ICT.
Outline of Lesson
 Introduction: Show children the picture of The Chair by Vincent Van Gogh or examples from the online
Artwork Gallery of artwork showing chairs in the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery’s collection or another suitable
picture. Discuss who they think the chair belonged to, what type of chair it is, why the artist may have
painted the chair, what they think of the picture.
 Provide a range of interesting chairs from the school, from home, or those brought in by the children.
 Establish a class chair museum. Encourage the children to bring in interesting miniature chairs from
home to add to the collection.
 Discuss with children key questions who, what, why, where, how. Compare to the artwork showing
chairs. What was the purpose of each chair in the paintings?
 Main activities: Look at examples of chairs in the online Photo Gallery and ask the children to assess
who, what, why, where, how? Using the website on or off-line (or printing worksheets in advance)
children complete the Who, What, Why, Where and How? worksheets about selected chairs in the
Gallery’s collection, copying a chair image into the worksheet. Alternatively the worksheet can be
completed after pupils use the What is a Chair? interactive or as a homework activity. NB: Information
about the materials, age and function of the chairs is contained in the online Teachers' Notes.
 Use the flash interactive What is a Chair? with pupils working online individually or in pairs, to introduce
the different parts of a chair and the influence of style, materials, purpose, decoration and technology
on chair design. The children then complete a quiz online based on the What is a Chair? interactive.
Alternatively an interactive whiteboard can be used for whole class teaching.
 Plenary: Class discussion on findings. Emphasize the difference in designs was often related to
function, discuss most interesting features, chairs found / studied
 Extension: The chairs from the class gallery can be sketched at any time as an extension task for
quicker workers using a variety of different media.
Key questions
Who is the chair for?
What materials is the chair made from?
Where do you think this chair would be used?
Why do you think this chair was made?
How old do you think this chair is?
Resources
The Chair by Vincent Van Gogh.
Collection of interesting chairs (modern and old)
Bedford Bytes website for Artwork Gallery, Photo Gallery, What is a Chair interactive and for Who, What,
Why, Where and How? worksheets which can be downloaded if necessary. Alternatively provide different
pictures of an interesting chair with the 5 key questions surrounding the chair for the children to answer.
ICT:
Bedford Bytes website flash programme What is a Chair? and online images of chairs, artwork
showing chairs and worksheet.
Year 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) 2/12
Context
 To explore the range of chairs in the world around them
 To use collage to create a display of chairs reflecting what they see in the world around them
 To develop cutting, sticking, presentational and organisational skills
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art

1c Collect visual and other information to help them develop their ideas including using a
sketchbook

2a Investigate and combine visual and tactile qualities of materials and processes and to match
these to the purpose of the work

2b Apply their experience of materials and processes, including drawing, developing their control of
tools and techniques

5c Using a range of materials and processes (collage)
National Curriculum Level
2/3
Organisation
Class demonstration of collecting pictures, cutting and sticking to create own picture
Outline of Lesson
 NB: This lesson works well and takes less time if pupils have already collected pictures from
magazines of chairs or from the online Photo Gallery on the Bedford Bytes website.
 Introduction: Share with pupils a selection of pictures from magazines of catalogues of various chairs
and from the online Photo Gallery on the Bedford Bytes website.
 Discuss what collage is and talk about different ways that the pictures could be arranged on the A4
sheet to create an interesting picture, eg. creating a border using a particular type of chair, work chairs
v. chairs for relaxation, using warm / cool colours, large / small pictures.
 Main activitiy: Children cut out, shape and create their collage pictures sticking them down using PVA
glue.
 Children varnish completed work with PVA / water mix.
 Extension: The chairs from the class gallery can be sketched at any time as an extension task for
quicker workers using a variety of different media.
Key questions
How are you going to make this picture look interesting?
Why did you choose to put these chairs here, etc…?
How could you improve the overall effect?
Resources
Ready cut out pictures from magazines to demonstrate with
Downloaded images of chairs from the online Photo Gallery on the Bedford Bytes/Take a Seat website
Lots of catalogues and magazines for children to find images of chairs in
A4 paper
PVA glue and sticks
Scissors
PVA / water glaze mix or manufactured art glaze
ICT:
Bedford Bytes website (pictures of historical chairs can be downloaded and used to create these
pictures)
Year 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) 3/12
Context
 To explore the range of chairs in the world around them
 To develop an imaginative piece of artwork based around a real chair, devising a suitable setting
according to the perceived purpose of the chair
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art

1a To record from experience and imagination

2b Apply their experience of materials and processes, including drawing, developing their control of
tools and techniques

2c Use a variety of methods to communicate observations, ideas and feelings

5c Using a range of materials and processes (ICT and drawing,)
National Curriculum Level
2/3
Organisation
Class demonstration of website and/ or starting point
Individual work to create pictures
Outline of Lesson
 Children use the Photo Gallery to select and download individual pictures of chairs found at the Gallery.
Alternatively these pictures can be downloaded and printed out beforehand for pupils to choose one.
 Introduction: Teacher chooses a chair and asks children to imagine the room where this chair may
come from. Discuss pupil responses.
 Demonstrate sketching the room for the chair to go in.
 Main activity: Pupils work individually to create their pictures of imagined room for their chair.
Support: Less able pupils provided with basic outline of room downloaded from Room Settings online .
Extension: More able pupils provided with basic outline of room set at an angle to develop perspective
 Pupils stick their pictures onto their room.
 Plenary: Discuss / present to class their pictures explaining what their room is and why they chose this
type of room for their chair.
Key questions
Where do you think your chair would go in a house?
Why do you think the chair would go best in this type of room?
Resources
Pictures of Gallery’s chairs downloaded from Photo Gallery on Bedford Bytes website
Room outlines for children to set their chairs in downloaded from Worksheets - Room Settings on website
Sketching pencils
Sketching paper
Coloured crayons / pastels
Adhesive
Scissors (to cut out downloaded chairs and to stick into place)
ICT:
Bedford Bytes website for downloaded pictures of chairs from the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and
room outlines (either straight or angled) for children to set their chairs in.
Year 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) 4/12
Context
 For the children to explore the range of chairs in the world around them
 To make detailed observational sketches of historical chairs
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art

1c Collect visual and other information to help develop ideas, including using a sketchbook

4b Materials and processes used in art, craft and design and how these can be matched to ideas
and intentions

4c Roles and purposes of different artists, craftspeople and designers working in different times and
cultures

5d Investigating art, craft and design in the locality and in a variety of genres, styles and traditions
National Curriculum Level
2-4
Organisation
Class visit to the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery to observe and sketch chairs
Outline of Lesson
 Class visit to the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery to look at the chairs on display there.
 Focus discussion on the five 'why, when, where, who and how' questions from lesson 1.
 Children find and sketch in context the chair they created an imaginary room for in previous lesson.
 Children find a ‘favourite’ chair to sketch in detail making note of colour, pattern, texture of fabrics in
their sketchbooks in preparation for lesson 5.
Key questions
Who is the chair for?
What materials is the chair made from?
Where do you think this chair would be used?
Why do you think this chair was made?
How old do you think this chair is?
Did you expect your chair to be in this type of setting? What was the same / different?
Resources
Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford - Ring the Education Service to make a booking (01234 217418)
Sketchbooks
Sketching pencils
Rubbers
ICT:
N/A
Year 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) 5/12
Context
 For children to discuss and consider differences and similarities between chairs from different times and
cultures
 To consider how features of particular chairs relate to their purpose (eg. ceremony, leisure, rest)
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art

2c Use a variety of methods and approaches in their own and others work and say what they think
and feel about them

5c Using a range of materials and processes (paint), including ICT
National Curriculum Level
2-4
Organsiation
Class discussion
Individual or paired work online using Chair Details interactive
Individual work whilst preparing for painting
Outline of Lesson
 Discuss with class the variety of chairs seen at the Gallery, pointing out different times represented.
 Children use Chair Details interactive to explore some of the chairs they saw on their Gallery visit and to
consider design details.
 Look at and discuss similarities and differences with chairs today and how they relate to their purpose /
status (eg. ceremony, leisure, rest).
 Record children’s responses.
 Children use their sketchbooks to begin to sketch out on large paper suitable for painting an
enlargement of the chair they sketched in detail at the museum in preparation for painting in the
following lesson.
Key questions
What chairs did you see?
What was your favourite / least favourite chair? What did you like / dislike about this chair?
What features of chairs did you find interesting? Why?
Resources
Large paper suitable for painting
Sketchbooks
Sketching pencils
Rubbers
Chair Details interactive on Bedford Bytes website plus pictures of chairs from the online Photo Gallery
accessed individually or via an interactive whiteboard.
ICT:
Bedford Bytes website – Chair Details interactive and pictures of chairs from online Photo Gallery
accessed in IT suite
Yr Gp R 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) 6/12
Context
 To create a compositional painting from observations and sketches made
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art

2b Apply their experience of materials and processes, including drawing, developing their control of
tools and techniques.

5c Using a range of materials and processes (paint).
National Curriculum Level
2-4
Organisation
Individual work whilst painting
Outline of Lesson
 Introduce session by demonstrating suitable technique for creating a background eg. colour-wash
 Children complete their paintings begun the previous lesson and leave them to dry
Key questions
How could you improve this painting?
What could you do to make this more detailed?
Resources
Large paper suitable for painting
Paint
Waterpots
Brushes
Sketch books and website pictures for reference
ICT:
Bedford Bytes website - images of chairs from Photo Gallery
Yr Gp R 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) 7/12
Context
 To begin to develop ideas for a design by considering the audience and purpose of the design
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art

2b Apply their experiences of materials and processes, including drawing
(NC Statement) Design Technology

1a Generate ideas for a product after thinking about who will use them and what they will be used
for, using information from a number of sources, including ICT based sources.

1d Communicate ideas in different ways as these develop, bearing in mind aesthetic qualities, and
the uses and purposes for which the product is intended.
National Curriculum Level
2-3
Organisation
Class discussion
Individual work
Outline of Lesson
 Introduction: Discuss how different chairs seen at the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and in the class
‘museum’ are for different purposes. Compare two very different chairs and talk about how they are
suited to their purpose.
 Talk about a book character eg. Goldilocks, Harry Potter or person/ occasion chair is to be created for
eg. family member, Headteacher etc… Talk about what kind of chair s/he would like / need. What kind of
features would / could they put on a chair that reflects their chosen character? Generate ideas list on
board.
 Main activity: Children brainstorm features / characteristics of a favourite character / person / occasion
 In sketchbooks or front of Design Booklet children design a chair for either a special occasion or for an
interesting character reflecting their character. Children to make notes around outside of design
explaining features.
 Children in pairs or to the whole class discuss their design, explaining why they have chosen certain
features.
Key questions
Who is your chosen character / occasion?
What do you think is important to this character? How does your design reflect this?
Resources
Sketchbooks or Design Booklet from Bedford Bytes website
Sketching pencils / crayons
ICT:
Design Booklet downloaded from Bedford Bytes website
Year 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) 8/12
Context
 To develop necessary skills for making paper strong
 To develop initial chair designs into a detailed plan for a miniature chair for a chosen character, person
or special occasion
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art:

4b Children should be taught about materials and processes used in art, craft and design and how
these can be matched to ideas and intentions.

2b Apply their experiences of materials and processes, including drawing.
(NC Statement) Design Technology

1b Develop ideas and explain them clearly, putting together a list of what they want their design to
achieve

1c Plan what they need to do, suggesting a sequence of actions and alternatives, if needed

2a Select appropriate tools and techniques for making their product

4b How materials can be combined and mixed to create more useful properties
National Curriculum Level
2-3
Organisation
Teacher led FDT (focused directed task)
Individual work (planning)
Outline of Lesson
 FDT: 3 methods for making paper strong. Demonstrate and teach: rolling, layering and folding.
 Children to practice and observe results.
 Children to go back to their initial chair design and consider where they could use these techniques to
help make their chair stronger.
 Children complete planning of their chair by deciding on 4 stages of making, materials and tools that will
be required and areas where they may require some adult support.
Key questions
What will be the best way to make your chair strong?
What will you need to do first, next, then last of all?
Resources
Sketchbooks / design sheets
Paper / card for strengthening
Adhesive, sticky tape
ICT:
N/A
Year 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) lessons 9-11
Context
 To follow a design to make a 3-dimensional product for a particular audience
 To use a range of different materials and processes including art-roc, card, reclaimed materials, fabric
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art:

2b Apply their experiences of materials and processes, including drawing, developing control of
tools and techniques.

5b Using a range of materials and processes (modelling materials).
(NC Statement) Design Technology

2a Select appropriate tools and techniques for making their product.

2b Suggest alternative ways of making their product if first attempts fail.

2d Measure, mark out, cut and shape a range of materials, and assemble, join and combine
components and materials accurately.

2e Use finishing techniques to strengthen and improve the appearance of their product, using a
range of equipment.
National Curriculum Level
2-3
Organisation
Children work individually to make their chairs from their designs
Outline of Lesson
 Children make scaled down models of their chairs from designs
 Children make the frame for their chairs out of card / reclaimed materials
 Children use material of choice to cover their chair frame (e.g., art-roc, fabric, tissue) leave to dry
 Children paint / use finishing technique of choice to complete their chair
Key questions
What will you need to do next?
How are you going to…?
Resources
Sketchbooks / design sheets
Variety of reclaimed boxes (children could bring these in from home)
Card
Adhesive
Sticky tape
Art-roc
Fabric / scraps
Tissue
Paint
Glaze (Water / PVA mix)
Scissors
Pencils
Rulers
ICT:
N/A
Year 4
Half term 1
Subject: Art / Design Technology (Take a seat) 12/12
Context
 To evaluate finished designs and share success of their chairs
Learning Outcomes
(NC Statement) Art:

2c Use a variety of different methods and approaches in their own work and others’ work and say
what they think and feel about them.
(NC Statement) Design Technology

3c Recognise that the quality of a product depends on how well it is made and how well it meets its
intended purpose.
National Curriculum Level
2-3
Organisation
Class / shared discussion of each others designs
Individual work to complete evaluations
Outline of Lesson
 Children share their chair with class, talking about their chair and its intended audience.
 As a class discuss difficulties encountered and identify positive and negative features of their designs.
 Children evaluate their design using the last page of the Design Booklet from the website.
 ICT: Pictures can also be downloaded from a digital camera into a Word document for children to
write about, using ICT, or to be printed off for children to handwrite about. If using Word, a
microphone can also be used to record children’s comments about their chairs. This can go with
their work to make an interactive piece.
Key questions
What were you pleased with?
What did you find most difficult?
What skills have you learned?
What would you improve next time? What changes would you make?
Resources
Finished chairs
Design Booklet from Bedford Bytes website. (NB pupils should have this already from Lesson 7)
ICT:
Optional: use ICT to write and record comments about their chair designs.