Looking at Art: nature and the environment

Bookable session: Why create art about nature? How have we impacted and interacted with our environment?
Format of the session

This is available as a museum-teacher led onsite session:

Onsite session

  • suitable for KS1 or KS2
  • scheduled for up to 2 hours
  • available for up to two classes
  • one hour is taught, one hour is self-led, if there are two classes, the groups then swap
  • self-led guidance will be available
  • access to our lunch room to store bags and eat lunch

‘I really liked looking at the paintings, and I now look at art in a different way. The Museum teacher made it very easy to understand and it was so fun!’ – KS2 pupil

Aims of the session
  • To develop children’s ability to look closely at objects
  • To encourage children to make deductions based on what they observe
  • To introduce children to the language used when talking about art
  • To encourage children to communicate with clarity and consideration about many different types of people
Content of the session
  • Look closely at paintings of nature and learning together and learn about their key features
  • Think about how people have made art using many natural materials and how we have impacted our environment and the habitats around us
  • Think about how artists have recorded nature and landscapes through time and create responses imagining how these places have changed over time
  • Children respond creatively with drawing, movement or modelling throughout the session
Primary curriculum links

This session supports the teaching of the art, geography, and science curriculum.

KS1:

Art:

  • use drawing and/or sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination.
  • learn about a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making
    links to their own work.

Geography:

  • use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to:
    – key physical features, including: beach, cliff, coast, forest, hill, mountain, sea, ocean, river, soil, valley, vegetation, season and weather
    – key human features, including: city, town, village, factory, farm, house, office, port, harbour and shop

Science:

  • Seasonal changes: observe weather and changes across the four seasons
  • Everyday materials: identifying a variety of materials and their properties
  • Plants and animals: identification and habitats

KS2

Art:

  • to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
  • learn about great artists, architects and designers in history.

Geography:

  • human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water

Science:

  • Living things and their habitats: recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things
Resources for use before or after your visit
Bookings

We are fully booked for Spring 2024. Summer term bookings can be requested by filling out this google form.

To keep up to date with news about schools and hear about future terms bookings please sign up to our teacher enews.

If you have any questions email education@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Access

Access and special educational needs

We are happy to discuss the content of the session and any other details that may be useful in helping your students make the most of their visit.

We have a bag of sensory and fidget toys available to borrow for sessions.

We can also print raised line drawings related to a session with a week or more’s notice, and may be able to arrange for a second museum teacher to attend the session who is trained in audio description.

We have travel bursaries available for schools who would otherwise not be able to visit. Information is available when booking.

We find it helpful to receive all feedback, but are especially keen to improve access to our sessions and offer. Please let us know if we can improve yours, or others’ sessions.