This week I my year 7's have been producing pieces of work on different Tudor and Stuart Kings and Queens. The work has been produced in the style of a portrait. The aim has been to promote both independent learning and creativity.
We began by spending a lesson studying portraits of Queen Elizabeth. The students opened the portraits in Popplet and then analysed how they were produced. They focussed on how Queen Elizabeth was depicted and what had been placed in the background of the portraits. With this in mind I then set the students the task of researching a Tudor or Stuart monarch, with the aim of producing a portrait on their chosen monarch.
The students had to bring in accessories to make the 'portrait' cloth, paper, wool and the like. They also had to bring in some pictures to include in the background of the portrait.
The students then worked independently to produce their portrait, all I provided was a piece of cream card and a paper plate.
There were two main outcomes to this activity. Firstly, the students had to develop their understanding if what makes a good Tudor/Stuart portrait. Secondly, they had to develop their understanding of their chosen Monarch.
There were two main motivators. Firstly, I wanted the students to be creative, there were several simple designs but many of the students came up with really creative solutions. Secondly, I wanted them to produce something independently in a way that they could teach others about 'their' monarch.
