Impressionist Art Scheme of Work

(ages 13-14)

This six-week KS3 drama scheme uses six Impressionist paintings (Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Degas, Cezanne, Pissarro) as practical stimuli. Lessons combine Stanislavski-style character work with devising tasks, visualisation and atmosphere-building (lighting, seasons) so students create and perform short devised pieces. Activities include thought showering, role on the wall, hot seating, slow motion and monologue. The unit emphasises practical workshop learning, peer and teacher evaluation, and short written homework to consolidate understanding of Impressionism and dramatic form.

What Students Will Learn

Across the unit students use Impressionist paintings as a starting point to develop characters, relationships and short scenes. They practise characterisation techniques (role on the wall, hot seating, thought work), physical devices (slow motion, frozen pictures), narration and monologue, and explore atmosphere via lighting and seasonal change. Workshops are followed by performance, peer evaluation and short written reflections to build practical drama skills and awareness of how imagery informs plot and character.

Week 1: Monet
Introductory lesson based on Monet's 'Poppyfield' using a Stanislavski-style approach to explore characters and relationships. Students thought-shower, roleplay in pairs and devise a short scene set earlier in the house before performing for peer evaluation.
Resources Include
Powerpoint Slides
Impressionist Art
Week 2: Sisley
An assessment lesson described as based on Renoir’s 'Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette' where pupils use all key forms learned across the topic. Students devise and perform their own stories and characters, and record performances for self-evaluation.
Resources Include
Powerpoint Slides
Impressionist Art
Week 3: Degas
'The Harvest' lesson develops a story across time, using changing seasons and lighting to shape plot and atmosphere. Students explore lighting states, seasonal change and continuity to enhance mood and character development in performance.
Resources Include
Powerpoint Slides
Impressionist Art
Week 4: Cezanne
'The Card Players' is recreated and then relocated as a devised piece, encouraging imagination and plot development. Students develop mise-en-scène, use a smoking-pipe prop and create an alternative setting for performance.
Resources Include
Powerpoint Slides
Impressionist Art
Props
Cut-out Pipe
Week 5: Pissarro
'Tanzklasse' focuses on the background and history of one character in the painting using dramatic time devices. Students use flashbacks, slow motion and frozen pictures to recreate aspects of that character's life and develop character detail.
Resources Include
Powerpoint Slides
Impressionist Art
Week 6: Renoir
Using 'Pont Argeteuil' this lesson develops further character techniques through visualisation and verbal exploration. Activities include visualisation exercises, hot seating interviews and role on the wall to deepen character understanding.
Resources Include
Music
French Accordian
Powerpoint Slides
Impressionist Art