Drawing Through History

Curriculum Information

Subject: Visual Arts
Year Level: Year 10
Curriculum Area: The New Zealand Curriculum – Arts (Visual Arts)
Achievement Objective:

• Investigate and develop an understanding of visual arts in relation to cultural contexts.
• Explore a variety of techniques and tools used in drawing.
• Develop and refine practical knowledge in sketching techniques.

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Lesson Overview

This lesson will introduce students to fundamental sketching techniques while exploring the history of Tāneatua and his significance in Ngāti Awa. Students will engage in structured activities that blend artistic skills with cultural storytelling, encouraging both technical growth and historical awareness.

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Lesson Breakdown (60 Minutes)

1. Whakawhanaungatanga (Connecting & Context Setting) – 10 Minutes

• Teacher Introduction (2 min):

  • Greet students warmly and briefly introduce Tāneatua’s connection to Ngāti Awa.
  • Explain that today’s lesson will integrate history with art through sketching techniques.

• Whakatauki Discussion (3 min):

  • Present a Ngāti Awa whakatauki related to leadership, exploration, or perseverance.
  • Ask students what they think it means in the context of Tāneatua’s journey.

• Mini-Lecture (5 min):

  • Who was Tāneatua? Discuss his role as a tohunga and navigator for Ngāti Awa.
  • Highlight his journey through the region, his leadership, and his legacy.
  • Show an image of local landmarks associated with Tāneatua as inspiration for sketching.

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2. Sketching Foundations – 15 Minutes

• Exploring Sketching Tools (5 min)

  • Introduce different sketching tools (graphite pencils, charcoal, ink pens).
  • Quick demonstration of each tool’s effect (e.g., shading, hatching, blending).

• Guided Practice: Basic Techniques (10 min)

  • Hatching & Cross-Hatching – Students practise creating depth with lines.
  • Blending Techniques – Experimenting with smudging and smooth shading.
  • Gesture Drawing – Creating quick, loose sketches to capture movement.
  • Teacher moves around providing individual feedback.

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3. Cultural Sketching Challenge – 25 Minutes

• Storytelling Through Sketch (20 min)

  • Students choose one of the following themes for their sketch:
    1. Tāneatua’s arrival in the region.
    2. Landmarks or landscapes significant to his journey.
    3. A symbolic representation of his leadership (e.g., Māori patterns, koru designs).
  • They use the techniques learned earlier while sketching.
  • Encourage students to experiment with layering different techniques (hatching for texture, blending for shadows, gesture for movement).

• Peer Sharing & Feedback (5 min)

  • Students pair up and explain their sketches to each other.
  • Peers provide one positive comment and one suggestion for development.

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4. Reflection & Wrap-Up – 10 Minutes

• Group Discussion (5 min)

  • What did you learn about Tāneatua today?
  • Which sketching techniques did you find most useful?
  • How can art be used to tell stories from history?

• Exit Task (5 min)

  • Each student writes a brief artist statement (2-3 sentences) describing their sketch’s connection to Tāneatua.
  • Optional: Display some sketches in the classroom.

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Materials Required

• A3 drawing paper
• Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 6B)
• Charcoal sticks
• Ink pens
• Soft erasers
• Printed or projected local images related to Tāneatua

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Assessment & Next Steps

• Formative Assessment:

  • Observation of technique application.
  • Peer feedback engagement.
  • Reflection in artist statement.

• Future Learning:

  • Extend this lesson into a larger project by developing these sketches into detailed compositions.
  • Introduce mixed media approaches for texture and storytelling.
  • Visit a local marae or heritage site connected to Tāneatua.

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Teacher’s Notes

This lesson blends history and visual arts, ensuring students connect deeply with both technical skills and cultural heritage. Maintaining an interactive and exploratory approach will help engage Year 10 learners while catering to different artistic abilities. Encourage individuality in how students interpret Tāneatua’s story through their sketches.