Phase 2:
Pyramids (Autumn 07 and Spring 08)

The theme of ‘Pyramids’ was chosen to link in with the school’s current topic of Ancient Egypt. In the Autumn Term 2007, sessions were held with all 4 classes. Classes 1 and 2 made and painted pyramids from sugar cubes. Classes 3 and 4 made 8ft pyramids out of canes and elastic bands. All 4 classes painted or coloured hexagons and triangles with shapes within them. The objective was to enable pupils to gain skills related to making 3-dimensional structures and to increase their understanding of triangles, pyramids and other 2-d and 3-d geometric shapes, as well as
the relationships between one, two and three dimensions. A “show and tell” session was held

as part of the school assembly, at which each

class discussed and showed the work they had

done with the artist.
The pupils’ work was used to make a pyramid
artwork (each class’s work on one side).
This pyramid, plus the sugar cube pyramids and photos of pupils at work, have been displayed on the school notice board.

In the Spring Term 2008, one-day sessions were held with mixed-age groups creating triangles, oblongs, squares, circles and hexagons, using origami, paint, Adobe Photoshop and collage. These images were based on geometric patterns influenced by Ancient Egypt, and ‘alternative hieroglyphics’, based on geometric shapes and symbols, were used by all
pupils to write their name.

Click here to download the ‘Hieroglyphics worksheet’.

The pupil with SEN decorated an individual
3-D pyramid with paint.

The objective was to develop pupils’ understanding of
various geometric shapes and of how pyramids are
made, as well as their skills in creating two- and
three-dimensional geometric shapes and patterns.

All artworks made by pupils were used in the creation by the artist of a 2
metre high pyramid, to be installed in the school grounds near the main entrance.