Planning, programming and assessing visual arts 7–10
Resources to support teaching of the Visual Arts 7–10 Syllabus (2024) including scope and sequences for Stages 4 and 5.
Go to Planning, programming and assessing visual arts 7–10 (2003) for resources related to the 2003 syllabus.
Syllabus
The new Visual Arts 7–10 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2027.
- 2025 and 2026 – Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
- 2027 – Start teaching new syllabus
About our resources
These resources:
- can be used by visual arts classroom teachers and, or school leaders to support teachers with effective syllabus implementation
- have been developed to assist teachers to create learning that is contextualised to their classroom
- can be used as a basis for the teacher’s own programs, assessment, or scope and sequences
- may be adjusted by teachers to meet the strengths and needs of their students.
Scope and sequences
All NSW public schools need to plan curriculum and develop teaching programs consistent with the Education Act 1990 (NSW) and the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) syllabuses and credentialing requirements.
Scope and sequences form part of the ongoing documentation or evidence schools maintain to comply with the department’s policy, policy standards and registration requirements.
Sample scope and sequences provide an overview of how to structure teaching and learning programs for visual arts in Stages 4 and 5. Knowledge, understanding and skills in art making and art critical and historical studies are developed through the interrelated areas of artworld concepts, viewpoints and practice.
Developing a robust scope and sequence has many benefits and may help teachers and schools to:
- promote high expectations for student learning
- identify opportunities for explicit teaching
- create opportunities for students to receive feedback on their learning
- systematically plan for and undertake assessment
- collect and use data to monitor achievements and identify gaps in learning
- differentiate curriculum delivery to meet the needs of students at different levels of achievement
- collaborate with other teachers to plan for quality teaching and learning.
Stage 4 units and teaching resources
In the sample unit ‘EAT! Exploring artistic tastes’, students adopt the role of the artist to explore their cultural perspectives and identity through representations of food. They explore artworld concepts and their relationships and refine their use of materials and techniques to create a 2D artwork that explores a food related memory or experience.
This unit is accompanied by a sample assessment task and student-facing slide presentation resource.
Materials in practice
Materials in practice is a series of video tutorials and fact sheets to support teachers and students in the practices of:
- Digital illustration and animation with Indy Boag
- Ceramics with Kerrie Docker
- Drawing with Mary-Rose Riley
- Acrylic painting with Courtney Young
- Printmaking with Liz Perfect
- Studio photography with Ben Eyles
The videos and supporting resources can be used to build knowledge, skills and understanding for art making. Each series unpacks material qualities, techniques and making processes.
Some videos in this package are more suitable for teachers and offer guidance on the selection of materials, processes and other classroom considerations such as setting up, packing up and storage.
Engagement with this resource can be recorded as teacher professional development for accreditation. The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers addressed by this series include:
- 2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area
- 2.6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- 3.3 Use teaching strategies
- 3.4 Select and use resources
- 3.5 Use effective classroom communication
- 4.2 Manage classroom activities
- 4.4 Maintain student safety
- 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice
Contact us
Stay connected with the creative arts curriculum team by:
- Subscribing to the Creative arts curriculum network
- Joining the Creative arts statewide staffroom
- Emailing creativearts7-12@det.nsw.edu.au.