New
New
Year 5
Practise calligraphic techniques
I can create letters using different calligraphic strokes and styles.
New
New
Year 5
Practise calligraphic techniques
I can create letters using different calligraphic strokes and styles.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Calligraphy involves creating letters with artistic flair to make beautiful handwriting.
- Learning and practicing foundational calligraphic strokes builds the skills needed to create decorative letters.
- Techniques such as strokes and flourishes can help you create calligraphic letters and words.
- 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.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Calligraphy pens, nibs, inks. Brush pens. Chisel-tip markers. Calligraphy paper. Rulers.
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).Starter quiz
Download starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
What is a typeface?
the size and weight of letters
using text and pictures to convey messages
Q2.
What material is not typically used in calligraphy?
paper
ink
Q3.
A concrete poem is a poem where …
it uses a specific rhyme scheme.
it tells a literal story.
Q4.
Why is it important to follow instructions in art?
to use more materials
to work faster
Q5.
Which artist is best known for their typographic work?
Vincent van Gogh
Frida Kahlo
Q6.
Typography can be used to make letters more readable, as well as making designs.
random and nonsensical
flat and regular
Exit quiz
Download exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
What is calligraphy?
the arrangement of text and pictures in design
digitally created lettering
Q2.
What affects the thickness of calligraphic strokes?
paper weight
using a ruler
Q3.
Where are you likely to find examples of calligraphy?
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
Q5.
What should you focus on when practising calligraphic letters?
size of paper
speed of writing
Q6.
Which stroke is crucial to move between two letters?
sidestroke
downstroke
Additional material
Download additional material