Maori Visual Arts - PRINTMAKING - Elements of Kowhaiwhai

This Māori arts printmaking teaching resource provides an authentic, culturally responsive introduction and exploration of printing techniques using a cardboard plate. The students design and make their own printing plate using traditional elements of kōwhaiwhai such as koru, patiki, mangopare, rauru and others. They learn how to create different types of prints like crayon rubbings (frottage), dry roller prints, wet roller prints and overprints using crayons, printing rollers and printing ink.

This resource includes

• a 16 page visual teaching guide (can be printed to use as a modelling book or cast on a screen) with supporting pictures and design sketches for each step of the printing process
• a detailed unit plan with curriculum links, achievement objectives, specific learning outcomes and possible assessment questions
• teacher preparation notes, a material list and a clear lesson sequence with extension ideas
• a visual reference sheet with elements of kōwhaiwhai and some of their meanings

This teaching resource could easily be adapted to use other design elements such as stars of Matariki or poupou.