Pies Through Time

Lesson Overview

• Subject: Art and Design
• Year: Year 6
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Curriculum Area: The UK National Curriculum for Art - investigating and analysing the historical and cultural context of artworks.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the historical and cultural significance of pies.
• Recognise different types of pies across various seasons and celebrations.
• Develop research skills through investigating different pies and their characteristics.
• Foster creativity through art and design activities related to pies.

Materials Needed

• Pictures of various types of pies
• Research books or pre-printed material on the history and types of pies
• Large sheet of paper and coloured markers for group activities
• Projector and audio-visual equipment
• Video about pies (Ensure video duration is between 5-10 minutes)

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Welcome and Hook:

   • Begin the lesson with a discussion: "What is your favourite pie and why?"
   • Explain what a pie is using the provided description, emphasising that pies are like a treasure chest containing different fillings.

2. Learning Objectives:

   • Clearly articulate today's objectives to the class.

Video and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Video Introduction:
  • Show a video about the history and variety of pies across cultures. Ensure the video is engaging and age-appropriate.
  • After the video, facilitate a brief discussion:
    • What did you learn about the history of pies?
    • Did anything surprise you?

Main Activity – Research and Exploration (25 minutes)

1. Divide into Groups:

   • Split the class into small groups (5-6 students per group).

2. Research Task:

   • Provide each group with a set of pictures showcasing a variety of pies (both historical and seasonal).
   • Allow access to research books or pre-printed material.

3. Research Checklist: (Display on the board)

   • Identify the type of pie in the picture.
   • Determine the possible fillings.
   • Discuss which season or cultural event the pie is associated with.
   • Briefly explore any historical facts about this type of pie.
   • Consider how the pie could be represented in art (design a pie-themed artwork).

Artistic Expression (10 minutes)

• Provide a large sheet of paper and coloured markers to each group.
• Challenge each group to create a visual poster that illustrates their chosen pie's history, filling, and unique characteristics.
• Encourage creativity by letting them draw, write, or use any artistic method to convey their findings.

Conclusion and Sharing (5 minutes)

• Invite each group to present their poster to the class.
• Encourage students to reflect on what they found most fascinating during the lesson.

Extension Activity

• For homework, ask students to create a pie recipe (real or imaginative) inspired by a historical period or cultural tradition, accompanied by an illustration of their pie.

Assessment Criteria

• Participation in group discussions and activities.
• Quality of research and analysis on the given checklist.
• Creativity and originality in the artistic expression of their findings.
• Engagement during the sharing session and reflection.

Reflective Questions

• Which pie did you find the most intriguing, and why?
• How do pies reflect the culture and traditions of different societies?

Each element of this lesson is crafted to meet the UK educational standards while engaging Year 6 students’ creativity and critical thinking skills in Art and Design. This approach helps students appreciate not just the deliciousness of pies but their rich cultural heritage and artistic potential.