Local Colours: Docklands
Using flags to explore the past, present and future of Docklands with a year 6 class at Harbinger Primary School.
We used flags as a way to explore local history and identity. The kids needed to find a point of view, think about how to communicate it in flag form – and then make their flags.
Our aim was to make every part of the five weekly sessions hands-on and active.
The numbers
30
pupils have taken part
5
weekly 2 hour sessions
100’s
of design ideas
12
simple, meaningful and unique flags, designed and made
The flow of the sessions
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1. Research.
We started with a visit to the Museum of London Docklands, giving each of the kids a notebook and pencil to record the things that they found interesting or affecting. We encouraged them to write and draw.
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2. First thoughts.
We kicked off with a short presentation on flags and the kids discussed their purpose and thought about what makes a good flag.
We talked about their thoughts on the museum visit and their feelings about the Docklands area – its past and present. The kids then started to explore these thoughts visually in thumbnail sketches.
We provided context from the museum visit, graphic shapes to adopt and adapt and lots of origami paper to explore colour as well as form.
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3. Final designs.
We provided feedback on the thumbnail designs and helped each group decide on and refine their final design.
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4. Scale-up and cut out.
We gave the kids feedback on their developed designs and then helped them scale up each design element to the size it would appear on the finished flags. These were cut out of paper to give each team the patterns they would need to cut their fabric.
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5. Assemble!
In the final session, we finished cutting all the pieces required and started to construct the final flags.
“Sam and Mika have been fantastic from start to finish during project.
The initial excitement of the museum visit (and notebooks) was maintained throughout the project. The children wanted to create their best work and were inspired by Mika and Sam’s ideas. They listened to the children and gave equal opportunities to all.
It’s obvious how hard they are working behind the scenes to ensure children know what they are doing the following week and have a clear goal for each session.
I could not fault the project and think it greatly enhanced the historical learning that the children were doing this half-term.”
— Fiona Keogh, Year 6 Class Teacher, Harbinger Primary School
Meet the Team
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Sam Griffiths
DESIGNER AND FACILITATOR
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Mika Sembongi
DESIGNER AND FACILITATOR
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Sara Shimasué
FACILITATOR
