New
New
Year 3

Create a kaleidoscope pattern

I can design a symmetrical kaleidoscope pattern by repeating and rotating shapes.

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New
New
Year 3

Create a kaleidoscope pattern

I can design a symmetrical kaleidoscope pattern by repeating and rotating shapes.

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Kaleidoscope patterns are found in nature, art, and design, such as in stained glass and textiles.
  2. Kaleidoscope patterns are made by repeating and reflecting shapes to create symmetry.
  3. Rotation and reflection are key techniques used to form kaleidoscope designs.
  4. Shapes, lines, and colours can be arranged to create a visually striking and balanced pattern.

Keywords

  • Kaleidoscope - toys that produce different coloured patterns when you look through them

  • Repeat / repeating - to make or do again

  • Reflect / reflecting - to show the image of somebody/something on the surface of something

  • Rotate / rotating - turning around a centre point

Common misconception

All kaleidoscope patterns are circular.

Remind pupils that while many have a circular appearance, kaleidoscope patterns can also be based on squares, triangles, and other geometric grids.


To help you plan your year 3 art and design lesson on: Create a kaleidoscope pattern, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Have pupils start with a single shape or motif and practise flipping/rotating it before working on the full design. Drawing a grid or guidelines helps to maintain symmetry. Encourage pupils to experiment with high-contrast or monochrome colours to explore their impact.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Card, carboard tube, tin foil, mark-making media, glue, scissors, small wooden stick, paint, tissue paper

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main purpose of using a grid in art and design?
To make everything messy
Correct answer: To help keep designs neat and organised
To avoid drawing shapes
To only use in computers
Q2.
True or false? If one side of a shape looks just like the other side, it has reflection symmetry.
Correct answer: true
false
Q3.
Which of these can you do to make a repeating pattern on a grid?
Only draw straight lines
Correct answer: Turn shapes around or flip them
Use any colours without a plan
Fill in every square with different pictures
Q4.
What type of symmetry do we see in patterns like Rangoli?
Reflection symmetry
Correct answer: Rotational symmetry
No symmetry
Different shapes everywhere
Q5.
Which method is not a good way to create a pattern on a grid?
Make a checkerboard pattern
Correct answer: Use colours in a random way
Repeat shapes in a row
Make shapes that are the same
Q6.
What natural things can inspire your patterns on a grid?
Shapes like squares and circles
Correct answer: Flowers, leaves, and fruits
Only made-up designs
Just lines and dots

4 Questions

Q1.
What does a kaleidoscope use to create patterns?
Water
Correct answer: Mirrors
Paint
Glass
Q2.
A kaleidoscope pattern is made by ...
reading and reflecting.
drawing and observing.
Correct answer: repeating and reflecting.
Q3.
Match the terms with their meanings:
Correct Answer:Reflecting,creating a mirror image

creating a mirror image

Correct Answer:Rotating,turning an image around a centre point

turning an image around a centre point

Correct Answer:Repeating,create again and again

create again and again

Q4.
Which of these is NOT a technique used in a kaleidoscope pattern?
Reflecting
Rotating
Correct answer: Drawing