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A collection of Unit Plans to support kaiako with the planning and delivery of teaching and learning

Still Life to Pattern

Suitable for NZ curriculum level 3-5, (Year 9/10), this unit is essentially a painting and drawing project. It aims to develop skills in observation, shape rotation, colour theory and overlay;…
Colin McCahon – Journeys and Landscapes

This curriculum Level 4 activity involves researching the work of Colin McCahon, in particular his methods and ideas in relation to landscape painting, the use of different formats in his…
Wakahuia Treasure Box – Differentiated Unit

Differentiated unit for Year 10 based around Wakahuia.
Expressionist Portraits

An expressionist portrait printmaking unit for NZC level 5. Learn portrait drawing conventions and about the German Expressionist artists then combine the two to design and make an edition of…
Landscape Drawing and Painting

A landscape drawing and painting unit for NZC Level 4 where students learn and apply a variety of drawing and paint techniques and conventions for drawing landscapes.
Year 10: Postage Stamp Design

This unit requires students to design a stamp reflecting the essence of New Zealand. Students are also encouraged to think of their own New Zealand theme whilst applying the characteristics…
Street Sm-Art: Drawing and Stenciling with Paint

Students produce stenciled artworks communicating ideas about copyright and intellectual property that they perceive as being important to them
Don’t be a Copycat: Junior Poster Design

In this unit students investigate a current socio/political issue and in response develop a poster that communicates a key message.
Waitangi Rosary NZCL 5-6 Plan (English)

In this unit, students will explore Robert Jahnke’s work Waitangi Rosary, as well as ideas about the power of language, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori
Waitangi Rosary NZCL 5-6 Plan (Te Reo)

Kaupapa Mahere: Waitangi Rosary Mahere Kaupapa Mahi o te Botanical Plaster Casting. Ngā Whāinga Paetae: He whakawhanake
NZCL 6-8 Visual Arts Unit Plan (English)

This unit explores the trans-customary approach by Reweti Arapere and his creative endeavour to capture the qualities of three prominent Māori leaders.
NZCL 6-8 Visual Arts Unit Plan (Te Reo)

Ka hōpara tēnei kaupapa mahi i te tikanga whiti-ritenga a Reweti Arapere me tana whāinga auaha ki te kapo ake i
Fusion: Four ‘finished artwork’ units↗

External link: A series of four units exploring the creation of both traditional and contemporary crafts based on the theme ‘fusion’.
Persuasion: Four photography units↗

External link: A series of four photography units designed for Senior Secondary. Students will investigate themes of stereotyping and the commercialisation of beauty while exploring studio photography and photo manipulation.
Exposure: Four photography units↗

External link: A series of four introductory photography units based on the overarching theme of exposure. Students will learn photographic techniques, conventions and terminology. These units explore personal histories within…
Superheroes making a difference↗

External link: A unit designed for years 8-10, where students generate ideas and create a superhero whose powers are directly linked to affecting positive change in our society.
Painting social change: creating art with meaning↗

External link: “In this unit designed for years 7-8, students will create a painting which presents a message on a social issue of their choosing. The painting will incorporate visual…
Propaganda Prints↗

External link: “In this unit students will use printmaking to investigate propaganda art and current socio/cultural issues.”
Portraying our people installation↗

External link: “Students produce a resolved paint or sculptural installation designed for a specific location that communicates the identity and culture of the subject(s).”
Layered landscape artist’s book↗

External link: “Students investigate established practice related to site-based art and typography to produce an artist’s book (paper-based or digital) that expresses a connection to a significant site.”
Tūrangawaewae zine↗

External link: “Students investigate typography and imagery in both Aotearoa New Zealand and international contexts to produce a zine that communicates their relationship with a place of historical significance.”
Y9 Patu Unit

A unit that looks at traditional and contemporary examples of patu.
Pepeha Project

A unit that uses Pepeha to create a one page zine.
Personification Animal Illustration Woodcut Unit

A printmaking unit designed for Junior Secondary that creatively plays with various animal features.
Y10 Drawing to Design

The aim of this unit is to explore using a variety of media and techniques to create observational and design based drawings.
Y10 Whakaahua/Portrait Unit

The aim is to produce an A4 size realistic portrait drawing from a 2D source, then work toward drawing from a 3D source to build on your observational skills. Finally,…
Whakapapa Portraits and Unit

This 20-slide presentation details aspects of Te Ao Māori, including whakapapa, Tāne Mahuta, society and structures, iwi, hapū, whānau and te whenua.
We Are the Land, the Land is Us (English)

This unit explores the importance of whenua (land), and how the people of the land, tangata whenua,
We Are the Land, the Land is Us (Te Reo)

Ko tā tēnei wāhanga mahi he titiro ki te whenua hei taonga, he titiro hoki ki te tangata whenua e pāngia tonutia
The Scars of Papatūānuku (English)

In this unit, students will be exploring our impact on the land through war and environmental disaster in both New Zealand and world history…
The Scars of Papatūānuku (Te Reo)

Ka tūkinotia te whenua, ko Papatūānuku tērā. I tēnei kaupapa mahi, ko tā te ākonga he āta titiro ki ngā pānga ki te