Magic Lantern at Home!
How to use these resources
- These resources were originally created during the lockdown period for teachers and parents to help children explore art. We believe that it is much more useful for children to give their own ideas and responses to art rather than just focussing on names and dates. Looking at art helps them develop a range of skills including observation, communication and problem solving as well as helping them make connections between what they see and their own lives and experiences. And it can be great fun!
- We suggest that you choose one artwork at a time, and, after looking at it and answering the questions, you do one or more of the follow-on art or literacy activities. NB. Click on the image to see it full-screen.
- After children have given their responses you can read them our suggested answers (in bold) before asking the next question.
- We recommend that you do not give any factual information about the painting to the children before they look at it (including the artist’s name, dates and painting title). Their responses will be more natural if they approach an art work without already knowing about it. We have included a link to each painting’s gallery or museum webpage so you can read more about it afterwards.
- The bigger you can show the artworks the better! If it is in the classroom then a whiteboard is ideal. Otherwise a computer screen or tablet are best. Smartphones will make it hard to see the images properly.
- Please get in touch if you have any questions or feedback about these resources or any aspects of our work: info@magiclanternart.org.uk
Please also feel free to share your children’s comments or their own works of art inspired by this one on Twitter or Instagram.
Years 1-2
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Basawan
Akbar’s Adventures with the
Elephant Hawai in 1561
©V&A
Lesson Notes
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Frank Bowling
Sacha Jason Guyana Dreams
©Tate
Lesson Notes
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Chris Ofili
Portmadog 14.9.96
©Tate
Lesson Notes
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Bridget Riley
Fall
©Tate
Lesson Notes
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David Hockney
A Bigger Splash
©Tate
Lesson Notes
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Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun
Self-Portrait with Straw Hat
©National Gallery
Lesson Notes
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Katsushika Hokusai
Under the Wave off Kanagawa
©British Museum
Lesson Notes
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JMW Turner
Rain, Steam & Speed
©National Gallery
Lesson Notes
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Phyllis Ginger
Town Centre
©Tate
Lesson Notes
Years 3-4
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Frank Bowling
Sacha Jason Guyana Dreams
©Tate
Lesson Notes
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Picnic Tile ©V&A
Lesson Notes
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Street Art
Lesson Notes
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Leandro Bassano
The Tower of Babel
©National Gallery
Lesson Notes
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William Logsdail
St Martin-in-the-Fields
©Tate
Lesson Notes
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Elizabeth Thompson Butler
Scotland Forever!
©Leeds Art Gallery
Lesson Notes
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Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun
Self-Portrait with Straw Hat
©National Gallery
Lesson Notes
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Katsushika Hokusai
Under the Wave off Kanagawa
©British Museum
Lesson Notes
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Phyllis Ginger
Town Centre
©Tate
Lesson Notes
Years 5-6
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Picnic Tile Panel
©V&A
Lesson Notes
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Street Art
Lesson Notes
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William Lionel Wyllie
Toil, Glitter, Grime and Wealth on a Flowing Tide
©Tate
Lesson Notes
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Evelyn De Morgan
Gilded Cage
©De Morgan Centre
Lesson Notes
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Lubaina Himid
Between the Two my Heart is Balanced
©Tate
Lesson Notes
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Joseph Wright
An Experiment on a Bird in an Air Pump
©National Gallery
Lesson Notes
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Elizabeth Thompson Butler
Scotland Forever!
©Leeds Art Gallery
Lesson Notes
-
Katsushika Hokusai
Under the Wave off Kanagawa
©British Museum
Lesson Notes
-
William Logsdail
St Martin-in-the-Fields
©Tate
Lesson Notes