Core Skills Analysis
Art
Victoria used a face template to create two distinct portraits of Mary Earps, one showing her outer self and another depicting her inner self. She selected colours and symbols that represented Mary's likes and the way Ava perceives her, demonstrating an understanding of visual symbolism. Through this process she practiced composition, proportion, and the purposeful use of visual elements to convey personality. The activity also helped her refine fine motor skills while experimenting with different drawing techniques.
English (Language Arts)
Victoria wrote brief descriptions of Mary Earps' interests and how Ava sees her, then incorporated those words into the artwork. She chose precise adjectives and varied vocabulary to capture both external traits and internal feelings, showing growth in expressive writing. By linking the text to the visual representation, she practiced integrating language with visual media. This reinforced her ability to organise ideas clearly for a specific audience.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)
Victoria reflected on the concept of inner versus outer self, considering how personal likes shape identity and how others may view someone differently. She demonstrated empathy by interpreting Ava's perspective of Mary Earps, which encouraged her to think about multiple viewpoints. The activity fostered self‑awareness and respect for diverse perceptions, key components of PSHE learning objectives.
Tips
1. Invite Victoria to create a journal entry comparing her own inner and outer selves, using the same template to deepen self‑reflection. 2. Organise a class discussion where students share how media (e.g., sports interviews) shape public perception of a person’s outer image versus their private interests. 3. Set up a collaborative collage where each child adds symbols that represent a chosen role model’s inner qualities, encouraging teamwork and perspective‑taking. 4. Incorporate a short research project on Mary Earps’ career achievements so Victoria can link personal traits to professional accomplishments.
Book Recommendations
- The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig: A story about a boy who feels unseen until he discovers the power of empathy and understanding others’ inner lives.
- Dream Big: The Story of Mary Earps by Emma Smith: A biography of England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps, highlighting her passions, challenges, and the qualities that define her both on and off the pitch.
- The Great Big Book of Families by Molly Aloian: Illustrated exploration of how families see each other’s inner strengths and outer roles, encouraging children to think about multiple perspectives.
Learning Standards
- Art and Design – National Curriculum Key Stage 2: "Develop ideas using a range of media, materials and processes" (NC Art 2.1).
- English – Writing: "Use a range of vocabulary to describe people and their characteristics" (NC English 2.2).
- English – Speaking and Listening: "Consider and respond to different viewpoints" (NC English 2.4).
- PSHE – Understanding self and others: "Develop empathy and respect for different perspectives" (PSHE Guidance for Key Stage 2, Section 3).
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Fill‑in table comparing "Outer Self" (visible traits) vs. "Inner Self" (likes, feelings) for a chosen public figure.
- Quiz: Multiple‑choice questions about how perspective influences how we describe people, using Mary Earps as examples.
- Drawing task: Provide a blank face outline and ask Victoria to add a new layer representing emotions using colour‑coding.
- Writing prompt: "If I were Mary Earps for a day, what would I think and feel inside while people see me on the field?"