Nature and symbolism
I can create a ceramic tile embelished with nature-inspired patterns and thematic designs.
Nature and symbolism
I can create a ceramic tile embelished with nature-inspired patterns and thematic designs.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Nature can represent themes such as growth, decay, rebirth, and spirituality.
- Artists can focus on the moods and ideas that nature evokes, rather than just depicting a scene.
- Artists can use natural materials like wood, stone, and clay to create their works.
Keywords
Association - a connection between things that we make in our minds, like when you think of sunshine and holidays together
Symbolism - when an object, or image represents a bigger idea or feeling, it can help us understand deeper meanings in art
Embellish - to decorate or add extra details to something to make it look nicer or more interesting
Slip - liquid clay used like glue to join two pieces of clay together
Common misconception
Only complex images or shapes can create associations.
Simple images or shapes can create associations to themes or ideas.
To help you plan your year 7 art and design lesson on: Nature and symbolism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 art and design lesson on: Nature and symbolism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 art and design lessons from the The importance of nature in art unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Clay, clay tools, rolling pins, guide sticks, slip, sponge, natural forms, paper, pencils.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Symbol of decay or death.
Represents fluidity and movement in art.
Symbolise stability and networks.
The surface quality of natural materials, like leaves or bark.
Represent growth and change
Represent strength, permanence, and endurance.
Mortality and the fleeting nature of life
Peace, innocence, or love
Strength, resilience, and eternity
Purity, fertility, and flow of life
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Rolling out flat pieces of clay and creating clay work using slabs
Adding decorative elements, such as designs, to enhance a piece
Creating patterns on the clay surface by removing or adding material
Adding clay to the surface to create texture or pattern, such as coils
a connection between things that we make in our minds
when an object, or image represents a bigger idea or feeling
to decorate or add extra details to something
liquid clay used like glue to join two pieces of clay together