Exploring Textures

Year Level

Year 1

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

20 students

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Unit

Exploring Animal Art Techniques (Lesson 1 of 5)

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Lesson Title

Introduction to Textures

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

Identify and create textures found in animals.

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Success Criteria

• Describe at least three different textures related to animals.
• Create a sample texture collage using a range of materials.

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Australian Curriculum Links

Visual Arts

• AC9AR1P01: Use and experiment with art elements, including texture, to create artwork.
• AC9AR1P02: Explore different materials, techniques and processes to create artworks.
• AC9AR1P03: Respond to artworks by describing what is seen and felt.

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Learning Intentions

Students will explore the concept of texture and how it appears in animals. Through touch and visual inspection, students will recognise and describe textures such as rough, smooth, soft, and prickly. They will apply this knowledge to create a tactile collage using diverse materials representing different animal textures.

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Materials Needed

• Samples of various textured materials: sandpaper (rough), fabric scraps (soft, smooth), felt (soft), faux fur (hairy), bubble wrap (bumpy), feathers (soft), foil (shiny and crinkly)
• Pictures of animals highlighting their textures (e.g., a lizard’s rough scales, a kitten’s soft fur, a bird’s feathers)
• A4 card bases for collage
• Glue sticks
• Scissors (safety scissors suitable for Year 1 students)
• Whiteboard or chart paper for discussion notes

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle for a discussion.
• Show images of animals with diverse textures. Encourage students to look closely at the animal’s skin, fur, feathers, or scales.
• Ask: "What do you notice about the animal's skin or fur? Is it rough, smooth, prickly or soft?"
• Introduce the word "texture" and explain that texture is how something feels or looks like it might feel.
• WALT reminder: “We are learning to identify and create textures found in animals.”
• Write the word “texture” and some examples (smooth, rough, soft, bumpy) on the board.

2. Sensory Exploration (15 minutes)

• Distribute various texture materials for students to explore by touching and feeling.
• Encourage them to describe the textures to a partner or group using terms like rough, smooth, soft, hard, prickly, or fluffy.
• Teacher circulates, asking questions: "How does this feel?", "What animal might have skin like this?"
• Build vocabulary and connections between textures and real animals.

3. Texture Collage Creation (25 minutes)

• Provide each student with an A4 card base and access to the textured materials.
• Explain that they will create a collage representing different animal textures using the materials provided.
• Encourage students to think about the textures they explored and imagine animals with those textures.
• Demonstrate gluing techniques and safety with scissors.
• Support students as they select materials and arrange their collage, prompting them to think about which materials best represent certain animal textures.
• Circulate and support individual students as needed.

4. Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Invite students to share their collages with the class or in small groups.
• Prompt each student to describe at least one texture they used and what animal it might represent.
• Link back to success criteria: “Who can tell us three texture words they learned today?”
• Reinforce the vocabulary and the sensory experiences.

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Assessment

• Observe students during discussion and sensory exploration for ability to identify and use texture vocabulary.
• Review texture collages to see if students have included a variety of textures and can articulate connections to animal textures.
• Use student explanations during sharing to assess understanding of texture concepts.

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Differentiation

• Provide additional support and paired work for students who need help describing textures or using scissors.
• Challenge advanced students to include more detailed textures or multiple layers in their collage.
• Offer verbal and visual prompts to reinforce texture vocabulary.

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This lesson encourages tactile sensory learning alongside visual art skills, closely aligning with the Australian Curriculum’s Visual Arts objectives for Year 1 students, focusing on recognizing and applying texture through hands-on experience and creative expression.