The Key Learning Area for the Arts at Torrens Primary School

At Torrens Primary, the Key Learning Area of the Arts includes:

dance, drama, music, visual arts, and media.

If you are a Canberra teacher working in these areas, you can attend Professional Development offered by the Curriculum Support team, on 6205 7169.

Specific learning and sharing concepts include:

- visits to schools to work with teachers in these subject areas
- linking between Arts events and Art subjects, such as ANZAC Day
- attending workshops and events run by Arts organisations
- visiting Arts groups such as dance troops and drama performances

Useful A.C.T. Arts websites include:

The National Art Gallery

National Portrait Gallery

Canberra Glassworks

Art Extension Classes at Torrens

In 2007, I was a bit surprised to find that more than eighty students asked to come to extension art classes! To allow as many children as possible a chance to attend I decided to make four groups of about twenty children. There was a junior group of mostly Year 1 and Year 2 students and then a middle and senior school group. Each group came to classes for one term. Extension art was held on Fridays from 2.00pm ‘til 3.00pm.

GATE program in 2008

Students and teachers from around Canberra will participate in classes run by Sue in Art for the Gifted and Talented Teaching Program. Children will develop their own Art portfolio. Topics under consideration for 2008 include:
- working with textiles
- painting in watercolour

Anzac Day

We read the poem In Flanders Fields and did a construction activity. We went through the newspaper to find war-related pictures. We photocopied these and then built up a 3D collage, adding detail with soft pastels.












In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

For an extension activity, you can visit the War Memorial in your city.

Cock-a-Moo-Moo

This junior school children's book was written by Alison Bartlett and illustrated by Juliet Dallas-Conte.

We studied her technique and came up with these pictures.

Picasso - The Unhappy Woman

Picasso wanted to show this woman's unhappiness.

The jagged shapes are like pieces af glass. They make us think of strong feelings like anger or sadness. These painting were made by Year 5 students.

Watercolours in the Longhurst style

Year 3 have studied the watercolour artist L. Longhurst, from the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, in Australia. The students worked with watercolours and permanent markers.

Fantasy Cats

Kindergarten made spectacular fantasy cats using watercolours, dyes and paste. Added elements were a variety of sequins for bling!

Under the Sea

Year 2 looked at colours, textures and patterns based on the topic of Under the Sea.

Tissue Paper Collage

These Year 2 art works were made by collaging tissue papers, then applying varnish with PVA glue. Flower details were then added in with black pen.

Andy Warhol

Year 4 studied the work of Andy Warhol by looking at his prints and drawing of every objects, such as... shoes.

Then the class made their own fantasy shoes.

Still Life art lesson

Years 4 and 5 looked at the genre of art called "Still Life" today. We discussed the works of Van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin and Picasso. We decided that the artists used the textures of leaves, fruit, stone, wood, feathers, wool and so on.

We chose a painting we liked - a Picasso - and tried to copy his style. Next time we will do our own "Still Life" painting.