Stories in Art: Words and Pictures

What is art? How can we understand it?

Format of the session

This is available as a museum led session.

  • suitable for KS1
  • scheduled for up to 2 hours
  • one hour is taught, one hour is self-led
  • 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!’ – Primary pupil

Aims and content of the session

Aims:

  • 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 introduce children to the visual communication and visual storytelling
  • To encourage children to communicate with confidence about what they can see, in a different learning environment

Content:

  • We will look at 3 different artworks together.
  • We’ll think about how artists tell stories using pictures instead of words, and use the paintings to inspire our own creative writing.

 

Primary curriculum links
KS1 Curriculum Links 

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.

Language and literacy:

  • develop pupils’ spoken language, reading, writing and vocabulary as integral aspects of every subject
  • learn to justify ideas with reasons; ask questions to check understanding; develop vocabulary and build knowledge; negotiate; evaluate and build on the ideas of others; and select the appropriate register for effective communication

 

Resources for use before or after your visit
Bookings

We are fully booked for Museum Educator Led visits for Spring 2025.

If you would like to visit self-led (Wednesdays and Thursdays) please complete this FORM and we will come back to you to discuss what is possible.

Summer bookings will open around February half term, 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 adjustments that may be useful in helping your students make the most of their visit.

We have sensory and fidget toys and child and adult ear defenders available to borrow for sessions. Please find general access information about the museum here.

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 find it helpful to receive all feedback, but are especially keen to improve access to our sessions and offer. Please let us know how we can make sessions more accessible.