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New
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Year 5

Practise calligraphic techniques

I can create letters using different calligraphic strokes and styles.

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New
New
Year 5

Practise calligraphic techniques

I can create letters using different calligraphic strokes and styles.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Calligraphy involves creating letters with artistic flair to make beautiful handwriting.
  2. Learning and practicing foundational calligraphic strokes builds the skills needed to create decorative letters.
  3. Techniques such as strokes and flourishes can help you create calligraphic letters and words.
  4. Practising calligraphy improves fine motor skills.

Keywords

  • Calligraphy - the art of beautiful handwriting using specific tools and techniques

  • Stroke - the movement of the pen or brush to create a line or mark

  • Flourish - a decorative stroke with details added to enhance a design

Common misconception

Calligraphy is just decorative handwriting.

Calligraphy is an art form with specific techniques, not just decorative handwriting.

Where possible, provide an assortment of calligraphy materials for pupils to try, including calligraphy pens, papers nibs, inks, brush pens, and chisel-nib markers. A whiteboard may be useful for demonstrating different strokes. Encourage pupils to practise developing consistency over time.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Calligraphy pens, nibs, inks. Brush pens. Chisel-tip markers. Calligraphy paper. Rulers.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a typeface?
Correct answer: a set of letters that share a similar shape and design
the size and weight of letters
using text and pictures to convey messages
Q2.
What material is not typically used in calligraphy?
paper
ink
Correct answer: clay
Q3.
A concrete poem is a poem where …
it uses a specific rhyme scheme.
Correct answer: the arrangement of words creates a visual image.
it tells a literal story.
Q4.
Why is it important to follow instructions in art?
Correct answer: to learn new techniques
to use more materials
to work faster
Q5.
Which artist is best known for their typographic work?
Vincent van Gogh
Frida Kahlo
Correct answer: Paula Scher
Q6.
Typography can be used to make letters more readable, as well as making designs.
Correct answer: interesting and beautiful
random and nonsensical
flat and regular

6 Questions

Q1.
What is calligraphy?
Correct answer: the art of beautiful handwriting
the arrangement of text and pictures in design
digitally created lettering
Q2.
What affects the thickness of calligraphic strokes?
paper weight
Correct answer: pressure and angle
using a ruler
Q3.
Where are you likely to find examples of calligraphy?
Correct answer: on an event invitation
on a ruler
on a graph
Q4.
What is the purpose of a flourish in calligraphy?
to change between colours
to shorten the writing time
Correct answer: to enhance the letter design
Q5.
What should you focus on when practising calligraphic letters?
size of paper
speed of writing
Correct answer: consistency of strokes
Q6.
Which stroke is crucial to move between two letters?
Correct answer: upstroke
sidestroke
downstroke

Additional material

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