Exploring Patterns

Lesson Overview

Subject: Art and Design
Unit: Fashion Design Adventures (Lesson 1 of 4)
Year Group: Year 1
Time: 60 minutes
Class Size: 30 students
Curriculum Links (England – Key Stage 1):

• National Curriculum for Art and Design:
  • Use a range of materials creatively to design and make products.
  • Use drawing, painting, and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences, and imagination.
  • Develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form, and space.
  • Learn about the work of a range of artists, craft makers, and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand how patterns and colour can be used in fashion design.
• Recognise and describe elements of Kaffe Fassett’s textile designs.
• Develop their own repeated patterns using inspiration from The King’s Pants.
• Experiment with oil pastels or coloured pencils to extend a pattern in their sketchbooks.

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Lesson Structure (60 minutes)

1. Introduction – The Magic of Pattern (10 minutes)

• Gather students on the carpet for a short discussion.
• Show the book The King’s Pants by Nicholas Allan. Ask:
  • "What do you notice about the patterns on the king’s clothes?"
  • "How do these designs make you feel?"
• Introduce Kaffe Fassett through images of his textile work. Focus on:
  • Bold colours and repeated patterns.
  • Shapes within the designs (stripes, swirls, flowers, checks).
• Display real fabric samples or printed images.
• Ask guiding questions:
  • "What shapes do you see?"
  • "What happens if we repeat this design over and over?"

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2. Exploring Patterns – Group Discussion (10 minutes)

• Give each table a different printed design by Fassett.
• Allow students to explore with magnifying glasses to find details.
• Guide discussion:
  • "Is the pattern symmetrical or random?"
  • "What happens if we change the colours?"
• Encourage movement through a simple "Pattern Walk":
  • Students walk around the class, spotting patterns on clothes, classroom walls, or even their own shoes!

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3. Designing Their Own Patterns (30 minutes)

Step 1: Sketching Ideas (10 minutes)

• Hand out sketchbooks, oil pastels, and coloured pencils.
• Demonstrate how to take a small section of a pattern and extend it.
• Encourage students to:
  • Start with a single shape (e.g., a zigzag, dot cluster, or swirl).
  • Repeat it across the page to form a pattern.

Step 2: Adding Colour (15 minutes)

• Encourage students to experiment with bold colours inspired by Fassett.
• Use guiding prompts as they work:
  • "What happens if you mix two colours?"
  • "Can you create a pattern that tells a story?"
• Walk around, providing support and positive reinforcement.

Step 3: Mini Art Gallery (5 minutes)

• Students pair up and showcase their patterns.
• Encourage them to describe their work:
  • "What was your inspiration?"
  • "Which colours did you use and why?"

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4. Reflection and Plenary (10 minutes)

• Gather students back on the carpet.
• Hold up a few student sketchbooks and discuss what makes each pattern unique.
• Revisit Kaffe Fassett’s work:
  • "How did our work today connect with his designs?"
  • "Can we find patterns in nature, too?"
• Introduce the next lesson teaser:
  • "Next time, we’ll be using our patterns to create a special piece of wearable fashion!"

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Assessment Opportunities

✔ Informal questioning during discussions.
✔ Observation of student engagement and creativity.
✔ Sketchbooks show understanding of pattern repetition and colour use.
✔ Students reflect on their learning during the plenary.

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Resources & Materials

• The King’s Pants by Nicholas Allan
• Printed images of Kaffe Fassett’s textile designs
• Fabric samples with different patterns (optional)
• Sketchbooks
• Oil pastels and coloured pencils
• Magnifying glasses for exploration

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Differentiation & Support

• For SEND students: Provide stencils and pre-drawn pattern outlines. Use textured materials for sensory engagement.
• For EAL students: Use visuals and real objects to support comprehension. Encourage non-verbal responses such as pointing to preferred patterns.
• For more able students: Challenge them to create a pattern that tells a story or conveys an emotion through colour.

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Teacher’s WOW Moment Tip

✨ Turn your classroom into a mini fashion gallery! String up student artwork with mini pegs and invite a neighbouring class for a ‘Pattern Parade’. Let students explain their designs – boosting confidence and creativity! ✨

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This lesson ensures young learners experience the joy of patterns, colour, and creative exploration while building foundational art and design skills.