Creating Simple Patterns

Lesson Overview

In this 30-minute lesson, Year 2 students will explore creating simple visual patterns through the use of stamps and stencils. The activity aligns with Australian Curriculum v9 for The Arts, specifically Visual Arts, and supports development of fundamental art-making skills such as experimenting with materials and understanding patterns as a visual element. The lesson is designed for a small class of 6 students, ensuring personalised guidance and ample hands-on opportunity.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Understand the concept of patterns and recognise simple repeating patterns.
Use stamps and stencils as tools to create repeating patterns on paper.
Experiment with materials, colours, and shapes to express their creativity.
Describe the patterns they create and share ideas with peers.

Curriculum Alignment

Australian Curriculum: The Arts (Visual Arts) Years 1 and 2

Content Description: AC9AVA2C01 - Use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials to create artworks. AC9AVA2D01 - Experiment and play with visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials.
Elaboration Focus: Using a variety of materials and techniques to explore shapes, colours and lines; experimenting with visual conventions and developing an understanding of patterns through hands-on creative activities.

Resources and Materials

Paper sheets (one per student)
A variety of stamps with simple shapes (circle, triangle, square, leaf, star)
Stencils with pattern shapes
Paper plates or palettes for paint
Safe, washable paints or stamp pads in different colours
Smocks or aprons to protect clothing
Wet wipes or paper towels for cleaning
Display area for pattern artworks

Lesson Sequence

1. Introduction & Discussion (5 minutes)

Gather students and briefly discuss what a pattern is: "A pattern is something that repeats again and again."
Show examples of simple patterns (striped, polka dots, checkerboard) on a board or existing artworks.
Explain that today they will make their own patterns using stamps and stencils.
Demonstrate briefly how to use a stamp and how to use a stencil with paint.

2. Activity Instructions and Demonstration (5 minutes)

Show how to ink a stamp and press it on paper to make a shape.
Then demonstrate how to use a stencil to trace or dab paint to fill a shape.
Encourage students to think about repeating shapes or colours to create a pattern.
Suggest trying different sequences like circle-triangle-circle-triangle or colour patterns like red-blue-red-blue.

3. Creative Practice (15 minutes)

Distribute materials and supervise students as they create their own patterned artworks.
Encourage experimentation with stamps, stencils, colours, sizes, and arrangement.
Prompt students to describe their patterns to a neighbour or the teacher (e.g., "I used a star, then a square, then a star again.").

4. Sharing & Reflection (5 minutes)

Invite each student to show their pattern artwork to the group.
Ask questions to help them describe their process and patterns, such as "What shapes did you use?" or "How did you repeat your pattern?"
Praise creativity and effort, highlighting the diversity of patterns created.

Assessment Opportunities

Observation: Monitor students’ ability to use stamps and stencils confidently and safely.
Discussion: Assess understanding through students’ description of their patterns.
Product: Evaluate the artwork for clear repetition of shapes or colours forming a pattern.
Use informal questioning to ensure students grasp the concept of simple repeating patterns and the use of tools to create visual effects.

Differentiation & Extensions

For students needing additional support, provide simpler stamps or pre-drawn stencils.
For advanced students, encourage creating more complex patterns or adding their own hand-drawn elements.
Integrate digital element: Invite students to take photos of their patterns and arrange them in a simple digital collage (if time and technology available).

Teacher Notes

Emphasise safe use of materials and respect for peers’ creative space.
Connect patterns to everyday contexts (clothing, tiles, nature).
Reinforce pattern vocabulary: sequence, repeat, shape, colour, order.
Maintain a playful atmosphere to inspire creativity and exploration.

This lesson advances Year 2 students’ visual arts skills and conceptual understanding in line with the Australian Curriculum by combining creative play with practical art-making techniques focused on patterns, a key element of visual expression in early stages of art education.

Teaching Instructions