Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Art and Design → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Art and Design
Lesson Topic: respond to a theme or brief
Learning Objective/s:
  • Analyse a photographic brief to identify key ideas, audience and constraints.
  • Develop a visual plan including mood board, composition and technical settings.
  • Apply camera techniques (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance) to support the intended mood.
  • Compose and edit a series of images that communicate a clear narrative.
  • Evaluate the final work against the assessment criteria and reflect on improvements.
Materials Needed:
  • Digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless) with lenses
  • Tripod
  • Light reflectors / diffusers
  • Computer with photo‑editing software (e.g., Photoshop)
  • Projector or large screen for image review
  • Mood‑board supplies (magazine cut‑outs, printed images, or digital board)
  • Printed copies of the IGCSE brief and assessment criteria
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick visual hook: show a striking photograph that perfectly answers a brief. Ask students to recall previous work where they interpreted a theme. Explain that today they will learn a systematic approach to respond to any photographic brief, and that success will be measured by a clear plan, technical control, and reflective evaluation.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Examine a sample brief and list its key requirements.
  2. Brief Analysis Workshop (10'): Whole‑class discussion of central idea, audience, and constraints; record on board.
  3. Mood‑board & Planning (15'): In pairs create a mood board and sketch thumbnail concepts; complete a simple exposure sheet.
  4. Technical Demonstration (10'): Teacher shows how aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance affect mood; students adjust settings on their cameras.
  5. Shooting Practice (20'): Students photograph a short series (3‑5 images) applying a chosen composition rule and lighting setup.
  6. Peer Review (10'): Small groups critique each other's images using the assessment criteria checklist.
  7. Post‑processing Mini‑Lab (10'): Demonstrate basic RAW workflow – exposure, white balance, cropping, and a single creative edit.
  8. Reflection & Exit Ticket (5'): Students write one sentence summarising how their images meet the brief and note one improvement for next time.
Conclusion:
Summarise how a clear brief, planning, technical control and reflection combine to produce a strong photographic series. For the exit ticket, each student records one strength and one area to develop. Assign homework to refine one image and write a brief evaluation using the assessment criteria.