Cultural Lino Stories

Overview

Over this 180-minute session, students begin a series that develops a lino block artwork based on cultural symbolism. They will explore how artists use symbols to communicate meaning, then plan a lino design with clear cultural references and safe, responsible handling of carving tools.

Learning intentions

• WALT investigate how cultural symbols can represent identity, values, and stories in visual art.
• WALT develop ideas into a lino print design plan using composition, contrast, and symbolism.
• WALT demonstrate safe, respectful practices when using lino-cutting tools and printing materials.
• WALT critique artworks and justify design choices using art language.

Success criteria

• I can explain what symbols I used and what meanings they communicate.
• I can create a clear design that will transfer well to a lino block (bold shapes, reduced detail).
• I can apply safe tool-handling procedures throughout carving and printing.
• I can describe my artwork and give specific next-step feedback using art terms.

Curriculum links

• Art in the New Zealand Curriculum: creating and presenting artworks that explore ideas, experiences, and cultural symbolism.
• Visual arts processes: exploring, using materials and techniques, developing ideas, and reflecting through critique.
• Key competencies: thinking (design decisions), managing self (safe, organised tool use), relating to others (feedback respectfully), and participating and contributing (sharing ideas in critiques).

Lesson structure (180 minutes total)

1. 0–15 min · Launch: Symbols that speak. Teacher shows examples of symbolic artworks (lino prints, patterns, and cultural motifs) without using the class’s own culture as “content for display,” and frames discussion with prompts. Students do a quick “symbol gallery” note: choose one symbol they’ve seen in everyday life (e.g., stars, waves, patterns) and write what it might mean.

2. 15–35 min · Mini-teach: Design for lino (bold + transferable). Teacher introduces key lino-print constraints: carving removes areas; white/negative space matters; designs must be reversed for printing; fine detail is replaced with bold shapes and contrast. Students sketch 3 small thumbnail ideas (each showing a different symbolic theme) and label meanings in 1–2 sentences.

3. 35–55 min · Cultural symbolism planning (safe and respectful). Teacher explains that cultural symbolism should be approached respectfully: students choose symbols connected to their own lived experience, family stories, or meanings they are comfortable sharing, and they should avoid presenting sacred knowledge as “decorations.” Students complete a design planning sheet:

• Symbol(s) used
• Intended meaning(s)
• Composition choice (foreground/background or central focus)
• Where contrast will be strongest

4. 55–75 min · Drafting the full design (grid + shape simplification). Teacher models simplifying a detailed sketch into strong shapes suitable for carving, using a simple grid to scale the design to the lino size. Students transfer their chosen thumbnail into the final block outline and refine to bold shapes only; they must produce a “carving-ready” drawing.

5. 75–105 min · Planning critique (pair feedback). Teacher sets critique norms: “I notice… / I think… / Next step could be…” and circles the room for targeted prompts (clarity of symbolism, contrast, readability). Students share in pairs: one explains meanings, the other checks readability and suggests one improvement to composition or symbolism clarity.

6. 105–130 min · Tool safety + first carving session. Teacher demonstrates: gloves/appropriate protection if available, how to hold the tool, how to carve away from hands, keeping fingers out of the path, and how to tidy tools safely. Teacher also demonstrates carving only on the design surface and using shallow initial cuts. Students:

• Mark the lino design (remember reversal for printing)
• Carve a starter area (e.g., outer border or largest shapes first) while the teacher checks safety and progress

7. 130–160 min · Printing test (proof print without finishing). Teacher demonstrates rolling ink evenly, careful placement, burnishing, and producing a quick proof print. Students create one proof print from their current carved stage and observe: which shapes print clearly, where ink gathers, and whether the design is readable.

8. 160–180 min · Reflection: next steps for the series. Teacher guides a brief whole-class reflection and previews that future lessons will continue carving, refine details, and complete final prints. Students complete an “artist reflection” with:

• One success (process or idea)
• One change they will make next lesson (e.g., widen a shape, deepen a carved area, improve contrast)

Resources

• Lino blocks and appropriate lino-cutting tools per group, with spares
• Printing ink (water-based) and brayers/rollers
• Printing paper and test paper
• Bench protectors/mats and cardboard for handling
• Design planning sheets and sketchbooks
• Pencil, fine markers, and rulers for drawing/gridding
• Gloves/eye protection as available and required by school procedure
• Cleaning materials (rags, water containers, waste bins)

Assessment

• Teacher observes design planning: symbolism clarity, composition, and suitability for carving.
• Formative checks during carving: safe tool use, correct carving direction, and readiness of shapes.
• Proof print review: students identify at least one issue and propose a specific fix.
• Quick teacher conference at the end using two prompts: “What symbol means what?” and “What will you change next?”

Differentiation

• Support: provide sentence starters for meaning statements and critique (“I notice…”, “I think…”, “Next step…”); offer a simplified symbol list of non-sacred, everyday motifs.
• Support: for students needing structure, provide pre-drawn grids and limit the design to 3–5 major shape regions.
• Extension: challenge students to increase contrast and readability by introducing a secondary symbolic element and explaining how it supports the main message.
• EAL/SEN: allow oral explanation of symbolism before writing; provide pictorial examples of design features (negative space, bold outlines, contrast).

Extension (optional)

SKIP