WW2 Art KS2

In these WW2 Art lessons, your class will come to understand how the war permeated the arts. They will analyse a range of artworks including propaganda posters, film and paintings. In particular, children will learn about the work and contributions of the great war artist, Paul Nash. What's more, they will have the opportunity to experiment and develop their mastery of oil pastel techniques within their own compositions.

Each of these downloadable KS2 WW2 Art lessons comes complete with a detailed lesson plan featuring differentiated activities, an interactive slideshow and printable resources to support children in their learning.

A Knowledge Organiser is available to support the learning in this scheme. It is included in the Complete Series download or can be purchased individually.

Why not upgrade to our World War 2 (UKS2) Topic Bundle – perfect if you're looking for a cross-curricular approach to your teaching.

Propaganda Posters

Introduce your children to the propaganda posters released by the government during World War Two.

In this lesson, children will discuss the impact and effectiveness of the different propaganda techniques and design features used in propaganda posters of the time. Children will apply their understanding by creating their own propaganda-style poster, drawing on the techniques and features studied.

This complete lesson comes with everything you need to support your class's learning about propaganda posters, including a detailed lesson plan, PDF lesson slides and printable resources.

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The Art of Paul Nash

In this lesson, your class will find out about the role of war artists and learn about Paul Nash and his work.

Together, your class will analyse a range of Nash’s paintings, examining their composition, colour palette, texture and mood. Then, children will be given an opportunity to apply their skills independently by analysing a painting of their choice in more depth. Alternatively, children can create a Biography for Paul Nash which includes their response to his work.

This complete lesson comes with everything you need to support your class's learning about Paul Nash and his artwork, including a detailed lesson plan, PDF lesson slides and printable resources.

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Oil Pastel Techniques

In this third World War Two Art lesson, children will recreate a painting by Paul Nash.

Your children will be given an opportunity to experiment with a range of oil pastel techniques to create different tones and textures - including blending, layering, scumbling and hatching. Then, children will apply these techniques independently to recreate their chosen Paul Nash painting.

This World War Two Art lesson pack includes everything you need to support your children to recreate the artwork of war artist, Paul Nash, including a detailed lesson plan with differentiated activities, an interactive slideshow and printable resources.

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Henry Moore's Shelter Drawings

This lesson introduce your class to a different WW2 artist: Henry Moore. Usually known for his abstract sculptures, this lesson explores his Shelter Drawings and how they captured life during the air raids of London.

The lesson focuses on exploring how Moore used contour shading and hatching to create the 3D forms of the people sheltering in the London Underground during air raids. They will also touch on the perspective of the tunnels in Moore's drawings and the techniques he used to create this effect.

This lesson has some detailed lesson input slides that help you introduce Moore and his drawings to your class. Included are also all the supporting resources you'll need to help your class respond to and explore these eerie drawings.

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Light and Shadow

In this engaging lesson, children will explore how Henry Moore used light and shadow in his WW2 shelter drawings, focusing on his famous wax resist technique. After closely examining 'Tube Shelter Perspective', pupils will identify where Moore added highlights and shadows, discuss how light sources affect shading, and learn how wax crayons can resist watercolour to create contrast. This hands-on session helps children understand how to give their drawings more realistic form through simple techniques.

Pupils will experiment with white and dark wax crayons to add highlights and shadows to objects before applying a watercolour wash to reveal the resist effect. They can explore how different pressures or application of the wax can create different effects.

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Creating a Shelter Drawing

Bring Henry Moore’s Shelter Drawings to life in your classroom with this final lesson, where pupils recreate their own powerful shelter scene using techniques explored throughout the unit. Inspired by Moore’s emotional depictions of people sheltering in underground tunnels during the Blitz, children will draw from prior sketchbook studies to create their final piece.

With opportunities for creative planning, practical technique reminders and clear differentiation, this lesson supports all learners in making an individual response while deepening their understanding of wartime art. Pupils will be encouraged to reflect on how media, tone, composition and gesture work together to express emotion.

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This Year 5/6 Art Knowledge Organiser has been created to complement our Art Famous Artists strand. It is designed to support your children’s understanding of key vocabulary linked to this scheme of work. Relevant vocabulary and artistic skills have been identified to encourage children to apply their knowledge around this topic.

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