Glasgow in Film & Art

Overview

Duration: 60 minutes
Class size: 31 students
Year group: 4 (ages 8–9)
Unit: Glasgow: Our City Story (Lesson 5 of 5)
Curriculum links:

History: Understanding local history and its impact on culture (National Curriculum - Key Stage 2, History - A Local History Study)
Art and Design: Use of a variety of techniques and media to express ideas (Art and Design Programme of Study, Key Stage 2)
English: Developing listening and speaking skills through discussion and presentations (English Programme of Study, Key Stage 2)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

Recognise how Glasgow has been depicted in film and visual arts.
Analyse the portrayal of the city in selected film clips, noting mood, setting, and landmarks.
Express their own interpretation of Glasgow through original artwork using a range of materials and techniques.
Develop confidence in discussing their work and viewing peers’ art in a supportive mini-exhibition.

Resources Needed

Projector and speakers for film clips
Screen or whiteboard for viewing
Selected clips from films set in Glasgow (carefully vetted for age-appropriateness, approx. 5 minutes total)
Examples of Glasgow-inspired artwork (prints or digital slides)
Art supplies:
- Watercolour paints
- Pencils and coloured pencils
- Crayons
- Paper (A3 size)
- Glue sticks and scissors (optional)
Display space for mini-exhibition (tables/walls)
Sticky labels for student names/titles
Worksheet for film clip reflections (simple questions to guide analysis)

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction & Recap (10 minutes)

Starter discussion: Briefly revisit the main points from the previous lessons in the unit, reminding students about Glasgow’s history and its significance.
Introduce today’s focus: how the city appears in film and art, showing that Glasgow’s story continues through creative expression.
Pose an engaging question: “How do you think films and art can tell stories about our city?” Record a few responses on the board.
Explain the plan: watch clips, think about how the city is shown, then create their own artwork inspired by Glasgow.

2. Film Clip Analysis (15 minutes)

Show 2–3 short clips from films set in Glasgow, carefully selected to feature recognisable city landmarks or everyday life. Keep clips fun, vivid, and age-appropriate.
After each clip, prompt quick pair discussions with guiding questions:
- What part of Glasgow did you see?
- What was the mood or feeling of the clip?
- How did the film make you feel about the city?
Each pair shares one observation aloud. Capture key points on the board or presentation slide to create a mind map of Glasgow’s portrayal in film.
Use the film reflection worksheet for students to jot down one or two sentences about their thoughts on the clips.

3. Exploration of Glasgow in Art (5 minutes)

Show examples of artwork inspired by Glasgow – include different styles (e.g., impressionist cityscapes, street art, abstract).
Discuss how these artists show Glasgow’s character, history, or mood through their work.
Link back to how film also “paints a picture” but with moving images.

4. Creative Activity: Make Your Glasgow Artwork (25 minutes)

Set out materials on tables; allow students to choose from watercolour, pencil, crayon, or mixed media.
Invite students to think about what part of Glasgow they want to show – a landmark, the river, people, or a story from previous lessons.
Encourage imagination: they might paint the Clyde, a favourite street, or even something symbolic like a ship or old building.
Circulate and prompt thoughtful questions as students work, linking their choices to the city’s story and their feelings.

5. Mini-Exhibition & Reflection (5 minutes)

Once artwork is complete, students place their pieces on display tables or walls.
Each student writes their name and a title or short description to accompany their work on sticky labels.
Walk around as a class, encouraging positive feedback and questions.
Invite a handful of volunteers to explain their artwork, reinforcing speaking skills and confidence.

6. Plenary & Next Steps (optional 5 minutes)

Recap key learning points: Glasgow’s rich story is told in many ways – history, film, and art.
Reinforce pride in their city and their own creative contributions.
Suggest ways students can continue exploring Glasgow’s culture outside school, eg. visiting local museums or galleries virtually or in person.

Assessment & Differentiation

Formative assessment:
- Observe verbal contributions during discussions and film reflection activity.
- Review student responses on the worksheet for engagement and understanding.
- Evaluate creativity and effort in artwork, noting connections to Glasgow’s themes.
Differentiation:
- Provide sentence starters on worksheet or prompts for less confident writers.
- Support students who may struggle with fine motor skills by offering pre-cut shapes or stencils.
- Challenge more able students to include a story element or deeper symbolic meaning in their artwork.

Cross-Curricular Links

English: Speaking, listening, and writing during discussions and worksheet reflection.
Geography: Understanding of local area through landmarks portrayed.
PSHE: Encouraging pride in own community and appreciation of diversity in perspectives.

Teacher Notes & Tips

Choose film clips that highlight diverse settings in Glasgow (urban areas, green spaces, riverside) to avoid stereotypes.
Encourage respectful listening during mini-exhibition to build a positive classroom culture.
If technology is limited, consider printed storyboard sequences or still images from films as an alternative.
Consider inviting a local artist or filmmaker (virtually or in person) to extend learning beyond the lesson.

This lesson plan uses a blend of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning, supporting the varied needs of pupils in UK primary classrooms. It celebrates creativity while reinforcing historical and cultural knowledge about Glasgow, making a memorable conclusion to the unit.

Teaching Instructions