Art, craft & design lessons and projects

The NSEAD Units of Work have over 50 projects, lesson ideas and descriptions. If you are a primary teacher, an art and design teacher in a secondary school or college, or a trainee teacher there will be something to inspire you.

We welcome content, project and unit of work proposals. All materials will be peer-reviewed.

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A simple printed pattern
resource
Early years
Printing
Pattern

This unit is a basic introduction to making repeat patterns using print. Children are encouraged to look for examples of patterns in the natural and man…

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Abstract painting
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Abstract painting
resource
Intermediate
Painting
Colour

The intention of this unit is to introduce children to the idea of abstraction in the history of art, and the possibility of making such paintings themselves

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Abstraction as a starting point
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Abstraction as a starting point
resource
Intermediate
Drawing
Line
Shape

Using computers, art elements and view finder to explore create abstract paintings

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Alphabet and Batik
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Alphabet and batik
resource
Intermediate
Textiles

Begin with a brainstorming session that focuses upon the English alphabet. Talk about how the alphabet can be written in two different 'cases' of text. First…

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Introduction to Colour
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An advanced introduction to colour
resource
Advanced
Colour
Form

A useful guide for taking students through some advanced steps in working with colour, with activities and tasks.

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Art and self
resource
Advanced
Drawing

This project attempts to introduce 14 to 18 year-olds to ideas connected with learning about and manipulating opportunities for the subjective and expressive…

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Checklist for art and design - a quick curriculum
resource
Advanced
Drawing
Sculpture
Textiles

This provides a ready-reckoner overview for teachers responsible for teaching students from 14 to 18 years of age in the form of an easy to follow, easy…

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colour mixing
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Colour mixing project
resource
Introductory
Painting
Textiles
Colour
Pattern

All pupils need at least the primary colours and white, a large palette on which to mix the colours, a container of water, a brush, a sponge and some…

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Colour mixing with paint
resource
Early years
Painting
Colour

This simple unit is designed to show young children, in a very direct way, that colours mix.

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Coloured inks, metallic pens, line and arts of the Islamic world
resource
Intermediate
Line
Pattern

Make a collection of posters, prints, books and postcards that are related to arts of the Islamic world

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Colouring fabric with fabric transfer crayons
resource
Introductory
Textiles

Draw a design on white paper with a crayon, colour the design with fabric crayons, use as much pressure as possible.

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Creature skin design boards
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Creature skin design boards
resource
Intermediate
Colour

The main purpose of this unit is to introduce pupils to how they can develop design ideas from an unusual stimulus.

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Designing a Pattern
resource
Introductory
Pattern

Helping children to become more aware of pattern through collecting and drawing them

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Drawing around shapes
resource
Early years
Drawing
Shape

Heightening young children's awareness of shape

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Drawing buildings
resource
Introductory
Drawing
Shape

A means of exploring shape through direct observation of the school environment

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Drawing fear
resource
Intermediate
Drawing
Shape

This unit of work will explore mark making, colour and shapes relating to emotional responses to fear.

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Drawing figures
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Drawing figures
resource
Introductory
Drawing
Shape

The difficult problem of introducing figure drawing to preteen pupils is tackled in this unit. Concentrating on shape rather than form, various strategies…

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children in a classroom drawing
Drawing heads and faces
resource
Introductory
Drawing
Shape

An introduction to drawing heads and faces for younger children

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UOW drawing
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Drawing Lines
resource
Early years
Drawing
Line

This unit will explore line, drawing, movement, emotion, feeling, expression

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Drawing shapes by looking
resource
Introductory
Drawing
Shape

Enabling young children to identify shapes in the classroom and then to describe them through drawing.

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You might also be interested in these intermediate resources.....

Abstract painting
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Abstract painting
resource
Intermediate
Painting
Colour

The intention of this unit is to introduce children to the idea of abstraction in the history of art, and the possibility of making such paintings themselves

Find out more
Abstraction as a starting point
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Abstraction as a starting point
resource
Intermediate
Drawing
Line
Shape

Using computers, art elements and view finder to explore create abstract paintings

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monoprinting
Monoprinting, a guide
resource
Intermediate
Printing

Monoprinting is the simplest form of direct printing that can be introduced to children

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Coloured inks, metallic pens, line and arts of the Islamic world
resource
Intermediate
Line
Pattern

Make a collection of posters, prints, books and postcards that are related to arts of the Islamic world

Find out more