Winter Scene Creation

Learning Intentions (WALT)

We Are Learning To:

• Use bleeding tissue paper techniques to create textured, colourful skies.
• Develop observational drawing skills by illustrating hills and trees with blank pen.
• Explore colour mixing and layering to represent a winter day.
• Express creativity to produce an individual winter scene using mixed media.

This session aligns with the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), particularly Experiences and Outcomes (Es & Os) for Art and Design in Early Level / Second Level (Level 2), which is suitable for year 3 pupils (ages 7-8):

• EXA 2-02a: I can experiment with different kinds of media and technologies to create images and objects, comparing my effects and commenting on what works well and why.
• EXA 2-03a: I can explore and use colour, texture, shape, form, and pattern in a creative way when designing and making images and objects.
• EXA 2-04a: I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings through activities within art and design.

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Success Criteria

I can:

• Carefully apply bleeding tissue paper to make a vibrant winter sky background.
• Layer colours in the tissue paper to show depth and variation in the sky.
• Use a blank pen to draw clear, imaginative hills and trees over my sky.
• Explain my choice of colours and how I created my winter scene.

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Resources Needed

• Bleeding tissue paper in various colours (white, blue, purple, pink, grey etc.)
• Water spray bottles (one for every 4 pupils)
• White card sheets (A4 or A3 size) as base for artwork
• Blank or white gel pens (for drawing hills and trees)
• Aprons or art smocks
• Containers/trays to keep tissue paper bits
• Towels/paper towels for wiping hands
• Example images of winter landscapes for inspiration (printed or projected, dyslexia-friendly layout – simple visuals with short descriptive captions)

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Lesson Flow (45 minutes)

1. Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greet pupils and share the WALT and success criteria clearly on the board.
• Show examples of winter landscapes and talk briefly about winter skies, colours, and features (trees, hills). Encourage pupils to talk about their winter experiences for engagement.
• Introduce bleeding tissue paper technique: explain how colour bleeds when sprayed with water and how layering changes effects.

2. Demonstration (5 minutes)

• Model the technique: tear pieces of tissue paper, place on card, spray with water to make colours bleed and blend – emphasise safety and controlled use of water spray.
• Show how tissue paper dries after some time and how it looks once removed (if using a technique where paper is peeled away).
• Explain how to add hills and trees afterward with a blank gel pen, demonstrating simple shapes and patterns.

3. Main Activity - Creating Winter Scene (25 minutes)

• Pupils tear tissue paper and place it on their card to create the sky. Encourage mixing cool colours typical of a winter day (blues, purples, pale pinks, white).
• Supervise pupils spraying their tissue paper lightly and observing how colours bleed and blend.
• Once satisfied or dry enough, pupils use blank gel pens to draw imaginative hills and winter trees over their sky.
• Include prompts for pupils to think about shapes, sizes, and layering of trees/hills for depth.

4. Reflection & Sharing (5 minutes)

• Pupils pair up to show their work and describe what they did and their colour choices.
• Invite 2-3 pupils to share with the whole class.
• Teacher highlights creative efforts and articulation of ideas.

5. Clean-up & Recap (5 minutes)

• Guide tidying up materials carefully.
• Recap WALT and success criteria, reinforcing learnt skills and approach.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Support: Provide pre-cut tissue paper pieces and/or templates for hills & trees for pupils who struggle with fine motor skills or focus. Assign peer buddies to support those needing help.
• Visual aids: Use step-by-step pictorial instructions on the board or printed sheets with clear simple text (suitable for dyslexic learners).
• Sensory needs: Have gloves available for pupils with sensory sensitivities when handling wet materials.
• Alternative tools: For pupils unable to use pens effectively, allow use of wax crayons or charcoal sticks to sketch hills and trees.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Encourage experimenting with layering additional textures (e.g., salt sprinkled on wet tissue paper for frost effects).
• Challenge pupils to add fine details with coloured pens (such as snowflakes or animals).
• Introduce basic principles of light direction and shadows on hills and trees for more realism.
• Invite pupils to write a short descriptive poem or sentence about their winter scene, enhancing literacy-art integration.

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Assessment

• Ongoing formative assessment through observation of pupils’ engagement with the tissue paper technique, use of colour, layering skills, and pen drawing.
• Check for pupils’ ability to explain their creative choices verbally during sharing.
• Review final artwork for evidence of colour blending, thoughtful composition, and imaginative drawing according to success criteria.

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Notes for Teachers

• Ensure good ventilation and protect desks against water.
• Emphasise process over product to encourage risk-taking and creativity.
• Use positive reinforcement to build confidence especially if pupils are new to mixed media art.
• Consider displaying artworks in a “Winter Wonder Gallery” around the school for pupil pride and community involvement.

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This lesson plan offers a rich sensory art experience designed specifically for Year 3 pupils under the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence framework, marrying creativity with clear developmental art skills and language integration.