PS S4.4 Don't Look TEACHER RESOURCE

Don’t Look is an engaging and thoughtfully designed teacher resource that blends practical classroom strategies with clear, structured learning pathways. Aligned with the NSW Visual Arts Syllabus, this resource invites students into the intriguing world of optical illusions and tessellations, encouraging them to discover how pattern, symmetry, colour, and mathematics work together to shape visual perception. There is also a strong cross-curricular learning connection with the new NSW Mathematics Syllabus, supporting integrated learning across patterning, symmetry, geometry, and visual reasoning.

Students explore the work of contemporary Japanese artist Akiyoshi Kitaoka, analysing how his Op Art illusions rely on mathematical precision, repetition, and visual rhythm. Inspired by his practice, students create their own optical illusion artworks that experiment with movement, symmetry, and perceptual effects.

Key Features:

Learning Intentions & Success Criteria:
Each section includes clear, learning intention and success criteria to help teachers and students develop a shared understanding of expectations. This supports purposeful learning, consistent assessment, and meaningful progression across the unit.

Gradual Release of Responsibility:
Lessons follow the I Do, We Do, You Do model, supporting teachers to scaffold new skills in drawing, pattern making, colour theory, and optical illusion construction while gradually moving students toward creative independence.

Super Six Comprehension Strategies:
Integrated into artist case studies, written reflections, and analytical tasks to strengthen literacy, deepen critical thinking, and support students in understanding how visual elements influence perception.

TEEL Paragraph Frameworks:
Provides students with structured writing tools to confidently analyse artworks, including their own. Helping them articulate how artists use repetition, geometry, and optical effects to communicate ideas and engage audiences.

NESA Verbs Alignment:
Tasks are intentionally framed using NESA-aligned verbs to ensure students engage with outcomes at the correct depth and complexity, supporting both assessment validity and quality learning.

Practical Classroom Application:
Offers scaffolded activities that take students from understanding Op Art principles to designing and refining their own illusion-based artworks. Each activity supports creativity, critical thinking, and strong cross-curricular links to mathematical reasoning.

Designed for Stage 4 Visual Arts, Don’t Look provides a complete framework for delivering a dynamic, visually stimulating unit. This resource equips teachers to lead students through a rich exploration of optical art while strengthening artistic skills, analytical thinking, and mathematical connections.