Lesson 1

What is Surrealism?

Unlocking the power of your imagination

Learning Objective:

Understand what Surrealism is and where it came from
Identify key Surrealist artists and their signature styles
Begin creating a Surrealism research page

Navigation: Arrow Keys or Spacebar

Teacher Print Tools – Lesson 1

Arrival Task

Arrival Task – Recall from Previous Art

Instructions: Answer from memory. Q1–3 recall previous art. Q4 leads into today.

1. Primary Colours (Recall)

Name the three primary colours.

Red, Yellow, Blue.

2. Pencils (Recall)

What does HB stand for on a pencil?

Hard, Black.

3. Tone (Recall)

Name two materials you could use to add tone to a drawing.

e.g. pencil, charcoal, chalk, paint, pastels.

4. Lead-in: Surrealism

Look at this word: SURREAL. What do you think it might mean?

Beyond the real / dreamlike / strange.

1. Complementary (Recall)

Name the three complementary colour pairs.

Red↔Green, Blue↔Orange, Yellow↔Purple.

2. Monochrome (Recall)

What does "monochrome" mean?

Using shades of one colour.

3. Techniques (Recall)

Name three techniques to create tone.

Hatching, cross-hatching, blending, stippling, layering.

4. Lead-in: Surrealism

"Sur" is French for "beyond". What do you think "Surrealism" might be about?

Art that goes "beyond reality" — exploring dreams, imagination.

1. Visual Elements (Recall)

List all seven Visual Elements.

Line, Tone, Colour, Shape, Texture, Form, Pattern.

2. Tone vs Texture (Recall)

Explain the difference between tone and texture.

Tone = light and dark values. Texture = the surface quality (rough, smooth etc).

3. Mixed Media (Recall)

Name and explain a mixed-media technique.

e.g. collage + paint — combining cut images with painted elements to create a layered effect.

4. Lead-in: Surrealism

Why might an artist choose to paint something that doesn't exist in real life?

To explore imagination, emotions, dreams, the unconscious mind, or to challenge what "reality" means.

Starter

Starter: Key Vocabulary

Instructions: Write each definition neatly in your book. Underline the key words.

Surrealism: An art movement from the 1920s that explored the unconscious mind — dreams, imagination, and hidden emotions.

Surréalisme: French word meaning "beyond reality".

Unconscious mind: The part of your brain you're not fully aware of — where dreams and deep emotions come from.

Juxtaposition: Placing unexpected objects together.

Scale Change: Making objects the wrong size.

Transformation: Morphing one thing into another.

Dislocation: Putting objects in strange places.

I Do

I Do: What is Surrealism?

Key Idea: Surrealism was an art movement that wanted to unlock the power of dreams and the unconscious mind.

📖 Origins

Surrealism began in the 1920s in Europe. It was started by a French writer called André Breton, who published the Surrealist Manifesto in 1924.

🧠 The Big Idea

Surrealist artists wanted to unlock the unconscious mind — the part of your brain you're not fully aware of. They explored dreams, deep imagination, and hidden emotions.

Think-Pair-Share: Have you ever had a dream that felt completely real — but was really strange? What made it weird? Surrealists tried to capture that exact feeling.

4 Key Surrealist Techniques

🔄

Juxtaposition — placing unexpected objects together (e.g. a fish with human legs)

↓

📏

Scale Change — making objects the wrong size (e.g. a giant apple filling a room)

↓

🔀

Transformation — morphing one thing into another (e.g. a face becoming a landscape)

↓

🌀

Dislocation — putting objects in strange places (e.g. a sofa in the ocean)

We Do

We Do: True or False Challenge

Instructions: Tap True or False for each statement about Surrealism.

Score: 0/5

Think about: When did Surrealism actually start? Do Surrealists stick to real life? What does "sur-" mean in French? Re-read Slide 5 if stuck!

Surrealism started in the 1920s.

Surrealist artists only painted real landscapes.

Surrealism is inspired by dreams and the unconscious.

"Surréalisme" means "super realistic".

Surrealist art puts everyday objects in strange situations.

Spot the Mistake

🔍 Spot the Mistake — Student Answer

Instructions: A Year 10 student wrote this answer. Find the mistakes — there are 3!

"Surrealism was an art movement that started in the 1820s in America. It was started by Salvador Dalí who painted realistic pictures of landscapes. Surrealist artists wanted to paint things exactly as they are in real life."

Here are the 3 mistakes:

Mistake 1: "1820s in America" — it started in the 1920s in Europe (Paris, France).
Mistake 2: "Salvador Dalí started it" — it was founded by French writer André Breton. Dalí was a famous Surrealist but didn't start the movement.
Mistake 3: "Paint things exactly as they are" — this is the OPPOSITE of Surrealism. Surrealists painted dreams, imagination, and impossible scenes.

👥 Turn to your partner: If you were the teacher, how would you explain to this student what Surrealism really is? Take 1 minute each.

I Do

I Do: Meet the Surrealists

Key Idea: Four key artists — each with a completely different approach to Surrealism.

🎨 Salvador Dalí (Spanish)

Painted hyper-realistic dreamscapes — melting clocks, strange creatures, impossible desert landscapes. Famous for "The Persistence of Memory".

🎩 René Magritte (Belgian)

Painted everyday objects in impossible situations. Used bowler hats, hidden faces, and visual tricks. His work looks realistic but the scenes can't exist.

🌺 Frida Kahlo (Mexican)

Created deeply personal self-portraits filled with symbolic meaning — exploring identity, pain, and Mexican culture through Surrealist imagery.

✂️ Hannah Höch (German)

Pioneer of photomontage — cutting and combining photographs and magazine images to create strange, provocative new compositions.

Remember: You'll use at least ONE Surrealist technique in your own artwork later in this project!

We Do

We Do: Match Artist → Description

Instructions: Select an artist, then tap the matching description.

Matches: 0/4

Hints: Dalí = clocks & deserts. Magritte = bowler hats (think: British businessman). Kahlo = always includes HERSELF in her art. Höch = used scissors, not paintbrushes!

Step 1: Select an artist

🎨 Salvador Dalí

🎩 René Magritte

🌺 Frida Kahlo

✂️ Hannah Höch

Step 2: Tap the matching description

Pioneer of photomontage — cutting & combining photographs

Melting clocks and dreamlike desert landscapes

Powerful self-portraits with symbolic meaning

Bowler hats, hidden faces and visual tricks

Independent Work

Independent Work – Surrealism Research Page

Instructions: Create a double-page spread introducing Surrealism. Use your definitions and notes.

Foundation

Title, copy definition, when it started (1920s), name 2 artists, 2 printed images, name 2 techniques.

"Surrealism is an art movement that…"

Middle

Title, definition in OWN words, when & where, 3 artists with a fact each, 3 labelled images, explain 3 techniques with examples.

Higher

Creative title, detailed definition linking to the unconscious mind, historical context, 4 artists with style comparison, all 4 techniques with artwork examples, personal opinion.

📋 Scaffolding

Use your starter definitions, the I Do slides, and the keyword bank. Foundation: copy from the board. Middle: use sentence starters. Higher: write in full paragraphs.

🏆 Success Criteria

Foundation: Title, definition, date, 2 artists, 2 images, 2 techniques named.

Middle: Own-word definition, 3 artists with facts, 3 techniques explained.

Higher: Detailed context, 4 artists compared, all techniques with examples, personal response.

Exit Ticket

Instructions: Answer independently. No notes.

1) What does "surréalisme" mean?

Beyond reality.

2) Name two Surrealist artists.

Any two: Dalí, Magritte, Kahlo, Höch.

3) Name one Surrealist technique.

Any one: Juxtaposition, Scale Change, Transformation, Dislocation.

Knowledge Organiser (L1): What is Surrealism?

Term	Definition
Surrealism	Art movement from the 1920s exploring the unconscious mind — dreams, imagination, emotions.
Surréalisme	French for "beyond reality".
Unconscious mind	The part of your brain you're not fully aware of — where dreams come from.
Juxtaposition	Placing unexpected objects together.
Scale Change	Making objects the wrong size.
Transformation	Morphing one thing into another.
Dislocation	Putting objects in strange places.

Artist	Nationality	Known For
Salvador Dalí	Spanish	Melting clocks, hyper-realistic dreamscapes
René Magritte	Belgian	Bowler hats, hidden faces, visual illusions
Frida Kahlo	Mexican	Personal self-portraits with symbolic meaning
Hannah Höch	German	Photomontage — cutting & combining photographs

Arrival Task

Foundation

1) Name the three primary colours.

2) What does HB stand for?

3) Name two materials to add tone.

4) What do you think "SURREAL" means?

Middle

1) Name the three complementary colour pairs.

2) What does monochrome mean?

3) Name three techniques to create tone.

4) "Sur" means "beyond". What might Surrealism be about?

Higher

1) List all seven Visual Elements.

2) Explain the difference between tone and texture.

3) Name and explain a mixed-media technique.

4) Why might an artist paint something that doesn't exist?

Starter: Key Definitions

Surrealism:

Surréalisme:

Unconscious mind:

Juxtaposition:

Scale Change:

Transformation:

Dislocation:

We Do Evidence

True/False: 1) Surrealism started in the 1920s: ___ 2) Only painted real landscapes: ___ 3) Inspired by dreams: ___ 4) Means "super realistic": ___ 5) Objects in strange situations: ___

Artist Matching:

Artist	Description (write it)
Salvador Dalí
René Magritte
Frida Kahlo
Hannah Höch

Scaffolding – Foundation

Sentence Starters

"Surrealism is an art movement that…"

"It started in the _____ in _____."

"Two Surrealist artists are _____ and _____."

"A technique used is _____, which means…"

Scaffolding – Middle

Sentence Starters

"Surrealism is… It was inspired by…"

"For example, [artist] used [technique] to create…"

"This technique creates a sense of… because…"

Scaffolding – Higher

Key Terms

Surrealism, unconscious mind, André Breton, Surrealist Manifesto, juxtaposition, scale change, transformation, dislocation, photomontage, dreamscape, symbolism

Independent Work – Foundation

Part A: Short Answer

1) What does "surréalisme" mean?

2) When did Surrealism start?

3) Name two Surrealist artists.

4) Name two Surrealist techniques.

Part B: Research Page Checklist

☐ Title: "What is Surrealism?" ☐ Definition copied ☐ Date (1920s) ☐ 2 artists named ☐ 2 images glued in ☐ 2 techniques named

Independent Work – Middle

Part A: Short Answer

1) Define Surrealism in your own words.

2) Name three artists and one fact about each.

3) Explain one Surrealist technique with an example.

Independent Work – Higher

Part A: Extended Response

1) Explain what Surrealism is, where it came from, and why artists were drawn to it. Include reference to the unconscious mind.

2) Compare the styles of two Surrealist artists. How did each explore the unconscious mind differently?

Exit Ticket – Foundation

1) What does "surréalisme" mean?

2) Name two Surrealist artists.

3) Name one Surrealist technique.

Exit Ticket – Middle

1) Define Surrealism in your own words.

2) Name two techniques and explain one.

3) Who is famous for melting clocks? What nationality?

Exit Ticket – Higher

1) Explain the link between Surrealism and the unconscious mind.

2) Compare two Surrealist artists' styles.

3) Why might Surrealism still be relevant today?

What is Surrealism?

Teacher Print Tools – Lesson 1

Arrival Task – Recall from Previous Art

1. Primary Colours (Recall)

2. Pencils (Recall)

3. Tone (Recall)

4. Lead-in: Surrealism

1. Complementary (Recall)

2. Monochrome (Recall)

3. Techniques (Recall)

4. Lead-in: Surrealism

1. Visual Elements (Recall)

2. Tone vs Texture (Recall)

3. Mixed Media (Recall)

4. Lead-in: Surrealism

Starter: Key Vocabulary

I Do: What is Surrealism?

📖 Origins

🧠 The Big Idea

4 Key Surrealist Techniques

We Do: True or False Challenge

🔍 Spot the Mistake — Student Answer

I Do: Meet the Surrealists

🎨 Salvador Dalí (Spanish)

🎩 René Magritte (Belgian)

🌺 Frida Kahlo (Mexican)

✂️ Hannah Höch (German)

We Do: Match Artist → Description

Independent Work – Surrealism Research Page

Foundation

Middle

Higher

📋 Scaffolding

🏆 Success Criteria

Exit Ticket

🏆 Completion Wall

Knowledge Organiser (L1): What is Surrealism?

Arrival Task

Foundation

Middle

Higher

Starter: Key Definitions

We Do Evidence

Scaffolding – Foundation

Sentence Starters

Scaffolding – Middle

Sentence Starters

Scaffolding – Higher

Key Terms

Independent Work – Foundation

Independent Work – Middle

Independent Work – Higher

Exit Ticket – Foundation

Exit Ticket – Middle

Exit Ticket – Higher