Lesson Plan: Visual Arts – Year 8
Focus Artwork: Reclining Figure series by Henry Moore
Duration: 2 x 60-minute lessons
Australian Curriculum Links:
ACAVAM118: Develop planning skills for art-making by exploring techniques and processes used by different artists.
ACAVAR117: Analyse how artists use visual conventions in artworks.
ACAVAM119: Practise techniques and processes to enhance representation of ideas in their art-making.
Lesson Title:
Form and Feeling: Exploring the Human Body through Sculpture with Henry Moore
Learning Objectives:
Students will:
Analyse the sculptural style and themes of Henry Moore’s work.
Explore abstraction and simplification of the human form.
Create a small-scale sculpture inspired by Moore’s reclining figures.
Reflect on the relationship between body, space, and form.
Why Henry Moore?
Moore’s work is ideal for Year 8 students because:
It bridges realism and abstraction, allowing for creative interpretation without needing technical precision.
His organic forms are influenced by natural objects (bones, shells, stones), which students can physically examine and use as reference.
Sculpting his way encourages students to think in 3D and work with tactile, hands-on processes.
Materials:
Images of Henry Moore’s Reclining Figures
Sketchbooks, pencils
Air-dry clay, plasticine, or foil and Modroc
Natural objects for inspiration (stones, bones, driftwood, etc.)
Sculpture tools or improvised ones (toothpicks, plastic knives)
Access to video or slideshow of Moore’s working process (optional)
Lesson Breakdown:
Lesson 1 – Investigate and Design
Introduction (10 min)
Show several of Moore’s Reclining Figure sculptures (include different materials: bronze, stone, wood).
Brief bio: who he was, key ideas (abstraction, human form, nature, space).
Discussion (15 min)
Prompt with questions:
How does Moore represent the human body?
What emotions or ideas do these shapes express?
What do you notice about the shapes—are they realistic or stylised?
How does negative space (the gaps/holes) change the sculpture?
Drawing Activity (20 min)
Students sketch 2–3 simplified reclining poses from references (Moore and each other).
Use natural objects to inspire contour lines and forms (encourage abstraction).
Sculpture Planning (15 min)
Begin shaping ideas in their sketchbooks: how will they simplify the human form?
What pose or feeling will their sculpture express?
Lesson 2 – Create and Construct
Warm-up (5 min)
Quick review of Moore’s forms and goals for the day.
Sculpting Session (45 min)
Students create a small sculpture inspired by Moore’s style.
Focus on:
Simplified forms
Curves and contours
Exploring hollow spaces or openings (if material allows)
Gallery Walk & Reflection (10 min)
Place works around the room for a short critique.
Use reflective prompts:
What kind of form did you create—how does it feel?
What inspired your shapes?
How does it relate to the human body or nature?
Extension / Homework:
Write a short paragraph about how your sculpture was influenced by Henry Moore.
Photograph a natural object that could be a sculpture—explain what you’d abstract from it.
Assessment:
Formative: Student participation in sketching and discussion.
Summative:
Finished sculpture (use of abstraction and form).
Written reflection showing understanding of Moore’s influence.
