Year 3 - Art and design
Design and make a pattern motif
Perfect Patterns: drawing and design
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils will create a range of art outcomes based on the theme of patterns. They will look at patterns in the natural world and investigate how pattern and decoration forms a fundamental part of art making. They will make a pattern motif and use it to create their own repeat pattern.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to design a motif.
Key Notes
- A motif is a single design or shape that can be repeated to create a pattern.
- Sketching and refining a motif first helps to create a successful final design.
- Simple shapes and clear details make an effective motif for pattern-making.
- Motifs vary across cultures, reflecting unique styles, meanings, and traditions.
Vocabulary To Learn
- motif: a repeated theme, idea, symbol, or pattern in a work of art
- sketch / sketching: making quick and simple drawings to show ideas or the things we see
- refine: making small changes to improve a piece of art
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that intricate designs are necessary, however simple shapes with clear details often work best for creating patterns.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
A motif is a single design or shape that can be repeated to create a pattern. Sketching and refining a motif first helps to create a successful final design.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'motif'
a repeated theme, idea, symbol, or pattern in a work of art.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Pupils may think that intricate designs are necessary, however simple shapes with clear details often work best for creating patterns. Correction: Encourage pupils to sketch a few different simple shapes and test how they repeat in a pattern. You can also cut out your motif and arrange multiple copies to see how they fit together.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 3 Art and design guide library.