Inspired English

Get to the HeART: Look! Think! Write!

An exciting new series of books that explores the power of art to develop inquiry-based creative thinking, writing and reading for students from Years 7-10.

‘The extraordinary books, Inspired English, are an exceptional program that fosters critical and creative analysis and writing. I have started using them with my year 8 in English to great effect. The students so far have loved this approach. The writing exercises are supported by beautifully sequenced and scaffolded exercises…’
Fred Whitlock – Head of Learning Innovation, Eltham College

The NGV have partnered with Macmillan Education, world leaders in educational publishing , to create an innovative series of teacher and student books which focus on iconic works in the Collection to explore creative ideas for teaching and learning English, Art and Critical and creative thinking in the classroom.

Each year thousands of secondary students take part in collaborative English workshops at the NGV facilitated by Educators experienced in the field. Inspired English translates these workshops into practical and engaging classroom lessons, catering for all learning styles and designed to help teachers meet the needs of the Australian and Victorian curricula.

This ground-breaking series provides increased access to our collection for teachers all over Australia through full colour reproductions. The artworks have been carefully selected from a range of historical, cultural and contemporary contexts and include favourites such as Collins Street, 5pm , 1955 John Brack; Federation series, 1901-2001, 2001, Julie Dowling; Weeping woman, 1937, Pablo Picasso and The Banquet of Cleopatra, 1743-44, Giambattista Tiepolo. The selection allows students to engage with a broad range of global, environmental and ethical issues and provides wonderful   opportunities for enhancing the English curriculum in imaginative ways.

The teacher resource and accompanying student workbook include:

  • Detailed contextual information about the artworks
  • Inquiry questions to assist with visual analysis
  • Comprehensive lesson plans with suggested assessment tasks
  • Curriculum mapping
  • A wealth of supporting resources online, including digital versions of the works of art for display on the interactive whiteboard
  • and much more

For detailed information about this exciting new resource and a short film of students engaging in an English workshop at the Gallery click here.