Year 5 William Morris Art 3-Week MTP

Year 5 Art Unit: William Morris (Victorian Art) – 3 lessons covering motifs, repetition, symmetry, pattern design, printing blocks and evaluation.

This three-lesson Year 5 Art and Design unit introduces pupils to the work of William Morris, exploring how Victorian designers used nature-inspired motifs, repetition and symmetry to create decorative pattern.

Pupils begin by completing an artist study in their sketchbooks, investigating Morris’ distinctive style and developing careful observational drawing skills through sketching sections of repeated designs. They then explore how motifs can be simplified and repeated to create patterned layouts, building their understanding of craftsmanship and high-quality design.

Across the unit, children design their own repeated pattern and experiment with printing techniques, including creating foam printing blocks, test printing, and evaluating how pressure and paint application affect the final outcome. In the final lesson, pupils refine their designs and produce a high-quality final print, using evaluation to improve spacing, alignment and clarity.

This unit provides clear progression in drawing, painting and printmaking, and supports pupils to develop confidence with pattern design while learning about a key Victorian artist and designer.