New
New
Year 3

Design and make a pattern motif

I can design a motif.

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New
New
Year 3

Design and make a pattern motif

I can design a motif.

Link copied to clipboard

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A motif is a single design or shape that can be repeated to create a pattern.
  2. Sketching and refining a motif first helps to create a successful final design.
  3. Simple shapes and clear details make an effective motif for pattern-making.
  4. Motifs vary across cultures, reflecting unique styles, meanings, and traditions.

Keywords

  • 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 misconception

Pupils may think that intricate designs are necessary, however simple shapes with clear details often work best for creating patterns.

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.


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

Show pupils examples of motifs in everyday life, such as patterns on wallpaper, clothing, tiles, or nature (like flower petals or animal prints). This helps them see how motifs are used all around them and can inspire their own designs.
Teacher tip

Equipment

computer / tablet, mark-making media such as pens or colouring pencils.

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 a kaleidoscope?
Correct answer: A type of toy that reflects light to create patterns
A kind of drawing tool
A type of flower
Q2.
True or False: Kaleidoscope patterns can only be made with digital art.
True
Correct answer: False
Q3.
What do we mean by "symmetry" in a kaleidoscope pattern?
Correct answer: Shapes that are the same on both sides
Colours that are the same
Lines that are different
Q4.
Which of the following is not a step in creating your own kaleidoscope?
Cutting card and tin foil to size
Correct answer: Throwing away your sketches
Gluing tin foil to the card
Q5.
What might you see in a kaleidoscope when you look through it?
Only one colour
Correct answer: Changing patterns and colours
A flat image
Q6.
What materials can you use to design your kaleidoscope pattern plate?
Only pencils
Correct answer: Coloured markers, crayons, or paints
Just black ink

5 Questions

Q1.
Match the term to its definition:
Correct Answer:motif,a repeated theme in art

a repeated theme in art

Correct Answer:sketching,making quick drawings

making quick drawings

Correct Answer:refine,improving a piece of art

improving a piece of art

Q2.
What is a motif?
A single drawing
Correct answer: A repeated design
A type of paint
A colour
Q3.
A motif can be a theme, idea, symbol, or pattern in a work of art.
Correct Answer: repeating, repeated, repetitive
Q4.
Which of the following is an example of a motif?
A single leaf
Correct answer: A repeated pattern of flowers
A blank canvas
A random scribble
Q5.
Match the cultural motif to its origin.
Correct Answer:Kente cloth,Ghana

Ghana

Correct Answer:Japanese wave design,Japan

Japan

Correct Answer:Paisley,India

India