Exploring Media Artworks

Year Level

Foundation to Year 1 (P-1)

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

20 students

---

Unit and Lesson Context

This is Lesson 1 of 4 in the unit titled "Exploring Family Stories in Art." This foundational lesson introduces young students to media artworks, focusing on how images, sound, and text combine to communicate simple stories. Students will explore the video "Wirriya: Small boy, 2004: Ricco" and engage in discussion and artistic response activities that build an understanding of characters, settings, and storytelling through media art.

---

Australian Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: The Arts - Media Arts and Visual Arts

• Content Descriptor AC9AMAFC01:

• Create artworks that communicate ideas based on personal and social experiences, using images, sound, and text to tell stories.

• Content Descriptor AC9AMA2C01:

• Use media languages and media technologies to construct representations (e.g., combining images, sounds, text to create stories for familiar audiences).

• Content Descriptor AC9AMA2D01:

• Explore ways of using media technologies responsibly to capture and organise images, sounds, text, and interactive elements.

• Complementary Visual Arts Descriptor AC9AVA2D01:

• Experiment and play with different visual art processes and materials to express ideas and experiences.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand and identify media artwork elements such as characters, settings, images, sound, and text within a simple media narrative.
2. Discuss how media artworks communicate stories and feelings.
3. Create an original drawing inspired by a media artwork, interpreting an environment or setting.
4. Use simple media arts vocabulary to describe artworks and stories.

---

Lesson Resources

• Video: "Wirriya: Small boy, 2004: Ricco" (prepared for viewing in class).
• Digital projector and audio system.
• Drawing materials: paper, crayons, coloured pencils, markers.
• Visual aids with pictures of characters and settings vocabulary.
• Whiteboard or chart paper for group discussion notes.

---

Lesson Plan Breakdown

1. Welcome and Introduction (10 minutes)

• Briefly introduce the unit "Exploring Family Stories in Art" and today’s focus on media artworks.
• Ask students what stories are and how stories might be told with pictures, sounds, and words.
• Introduce key vocabulary: character (who the story is about), setting (where the story happens), images, sound, text.

2. Viewing the Media Artwork (15 minutes)

• Watch the video "Wirriya: Small boy, 2004: Ricco" together.
• Before viewing, ask students to pay attention to who they see in the video and what places are shown.
• Play the video with volume so students can also hear sounds and any narration or music.

3. Guided Group Discussion (15 minutes)

• Facilitate a discussion using simple questions:
• Who was in the video? (Characters)
• Where was the story happening? (Setting)
• What sounds or words helped tell the story?
• How did the pictures and sounds make you feel?
• Chart their responses, encouraging students to use the vocabulary introduced.
• Use picture cards or drawings to help scaffold understanding.

4. Creative Drawing Activity (15 minutes)

• Prompt students to draw their own interpretation of Ricco's environment or setting from the video.
• Encourage them to think about what they saw and heard — the images, sounds, and feelings.
• Circulate to offer support and encourage students to talk about their drawings.

5. Sharing and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Invite a few students to share their drawings and describe what they drew, using new vocabulary.
• Summarise how media artworks use images, sounds and text to tell stories and share ideas.
• Link to upcoming lessons where students will create their own media artworks and explore family stories further.

---

Teaching and Learning Strategies

• Visual and auditory learning: Using video and sounds supports young learners’ preferred modalities.
• Scaffolded discussion: Use simple language and repetitive questioning to build confidence and understanding.
• Hands-on creation: Drawing engages fine motor skills and personal expression.
• Reflection: Supporting students to verbalise ideas helps literacy and comprehension.

---

Assessment and Evidence of Learning

• Observation of student participation in discussion, noting ability to identify characters, settings, and story elements.
• Review of student drawings to assess their interpretation and engagement with the media artwork.
• Informal questioning during sharing to check understanding of media arts vocabulary and story elements.

---

Differentiation

• Provide additional visual aids or one-on-one support for students needing help with language or concept comprehension.
• Encourage more advanced students to add details or tell a short story about their drawing.
• Use peer support for collaborative discussion and idea sharing.

---

Cross-curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures: The selected video "Wirriya: Small boy, 2004: Ricco" includes Indigenous cultural content, supporting students’ respect and understanding of First Nations perspectives in media arts.
• Literacy: Developing vocabulary through media arts context.
• Critical and Creative Thinking: Interpreting media artworks and creating original expressive artworks.
• Personal and Social Capability: Sharing ideas respectfully and listening to peers during discussion.

---

This lesson plan harnesses the national Australian Curriculum to provide an engaging, age-appropriate introduction to media artworks, communication of family and cultural stories, and sets a platform for developing media literacy and creative expression within early years students.