120 minutes / Theme
Litter / Subject focus
Art / Age group
Upper KS2
Resources required
- Sketch books (ideally homemade, see asset)
- Large pieces of cardboard (ideally recycled from boxes)
- Artists materials (consider pastels, felt tips, straws, scrap materials, colourful tape)
- Scissors
- Sellotape
- Garden canes or similar
- Artist information sheets
Adult Support
- Some children may need support with cutting
- Check spellings before final banners are made
Follow up activities
- Participate in a community event and show off your banners
- Consider using the English, maths and science lessons as well as other linked resources provided
Learning outcomes (differentiated)
MUST Use sketch books to record their observations
SHOULDUse their observationsto create a banner
COULD Compare the impact of banners from a range of artists
Starter
Prior to completing this lesson the children will need a solid understanding of the problems surrounding dog poo and the reasons we might want to encourage a behavioural change. To achieve this, consider delivering the assembly and science lesson from the resource pack. The teacher’s notes and fact sheets may also prove useful.
It would be especially effective, if, through the whole project the children were able to make notes in their sketch books; collecting words, phrases and images as they wish.
Discuss: which messages do the children see in our world as part of their daily life? How are these messages conveyed? Are they words or pictures or a combination of both? (consider: billboards, TV, magazines, road signs, the internet etc.) What is a banner? When are banners used? What is their intended purpose?The children may be able to make links to recent political activity (if not images can easily be sourced online).
Main activity
Banners and messages can be prohibitive or encouraging. Invite children to consider if they would like their banner to be about NOT doing something or if they wish to appeal to a person’s better nature and encourage them to DO something.
Word Exercise: Children are encouraged to write down words that pop into their minds when thinking about the topics of dog poo and protesting. On large pieces of paper, encourage the children to record singular words or VERY brief phrases, symbols too would work well. Spread all the collated words on the floor and start to look for words that work well together. Play around to find pairs or small groups of words that could provide phrases for the banners. Select 4 or 5 phrases ideally covering a range of approaches such as danger/health/freedom and play and picking up poo.
In groups the children can start to sketch out rough ideas for their banners; how will they use lettering? Colour? Spacing?Different materials? How will they ensure the message is clear and can be seen at a glance?
Time to start designing. During the making process encourage the children to keep looking at their banner from a distance, ask for feedback from a peer; is it clear? Ensure the children keep referring to the class top tips.
Plenary
Time to celebrate; encourage each group to share their banners and invite positive feedback from the remainder of the class.
Extension tasks
- Once the children have had the opportunity to make one banner if time allows it would be wonderful to make a second (perhaps around a different issue such as litter) as they will already know ways in which they would do things differently.
Actions before next lesson
- Attach the sticks to the banners and perhaps prepare a protest chant to recite whilst participating in a community awareness event
Reflective notes
Text here
Curriculum links