William Morris Prints

This series of lessons on design and printing also fit into the Victorian theme :) I always like it when different subjects fit together...

We learned about William Morris and how he wanted to preserve traditional arts and crafts. We then focused on motifs and patterns by studying his designs in groups and together on the Smartboard. The children identified the themes used in the designs as well as how the patterns repeated and reflected using symmetry.

In the next lessons they worked fairly independently through the steps of:

1. Planning a motif and designing it on 10 x 10 cm paper; 
2. Printing their designs using Styrofoam; 
3. Evaluating and developing their designs (some of the original motifs were beautiful but too intricate for Styrofoam prints!); 
4. Mounting and presenting their work with a title and description.

 A lot of learning went on about the design process as well as the art history, pattern and printing.

There are many great resources linked to William Morris, including weeks and weeks worth of resources to download from the William Morris Gallery and this video of block-printed wallpaper (from the Victoria and Albert museum) which had my class absolutely mesmerised, even with no sound.