Sunrise Paper Craft

Learning Objectives

Aligned with the IE Curriculum Framework for Early Years Art & Design, this lesson targets:

• Creative Expression (Art & Craft Strand)
  • Students will explore colour mixing and layering techniques through paper craft (Objective: use a variety of materials and tools to create artworks).
  • Develop fine motor skills via cutting and gluing maneuvers (Objective: demonstrate control and coordination in making art).
• Visual Literacy (Understanding & Appreciating Art Strand)
  • Recognise and describe features of a sunrise (Objective: uses senses and observation to appreciate natural phenomena).
• Language and Communication
  • Use art-related vocabulary and express ideas about their creations (Objective: communicate experiences and feelings related to visual arts).

WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Create a simple layered paper craft illustrating a sunrise using cutting, folding, and gluing techniques.
• Use warm colours to represent the sunrise and understand the concept of layering.
• Talk about their artwork using descriptive words.

WILF (What I’m Looking For)

• Cutting and gluing accuracy, showing growing fine motor control.
• Use of warm colours like red, orange, and yellow in their paper craft.
• Ability to share one sentence describing their artwork or how the sunrise makes them feel.

Materials Needed

• Coloured paper (yellow, orange, red, pink, blue, black)
• Child-safe scissors
• Glue sticks
• Pencil
• White card base (A4 size)
• Black marker or crayon
• Visual stimulus picture of a sunrise (prepared by teacher)

Stimulus

Begin the lesson by showing a bright, vivid picture of a sunrise. Ask students:

• "What colours do you see in the sky?"
• "Have you ever seen a sunrise? What did it look like?"
  Use this to develop curiosity and activate prior knowledge.

Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Description	IE Curriculum Link
0-5 mins	Introduction & Stimulus Discussion	Show sunrise picture, discuss colours and feelings sunrise gives us. Use questions to encourage observation.	Understanding & Appreciating Art: 1st & 2nd class – Observing and commenting on visual material
5-10 mins	Demonstration	Teacher demonstrates cutting paper strips and layering to create a sunrise effect on white card. Explain how warm colours show the sun.	Creative Expression: Using tools and materials safely and effectively
10-25 mins	Student Craft Time	Students cut strips of coloured paper and layer them on card to form sunrise horizon. Encourage mixing red, orange, and yellow. Teacher supports fine motor skill development.	Creative Expression & Fine Motor Skills
25-30 mins	Add Details	Students use black marker/crayon to add sun outline or silhouettes of trees/birds.	Creative Expression and Visual Literacy
30-35 mins	Sharing & Describing	Each student describes their craft in 1-2 sentences to the class or a partner. Teacher models sentences to support language.	Language & Communication Strand: Expressing ideas
35-40 mins	Clean up & Reflection	Students tidy area. Teacher asks reflective questions about the activity and the colours used.	Understanding & Appreciating Art

Higher Order Questions (to challenge thinking)

• "Why do you think the colours change during a sunrise?"
• "How does this picture make you feel? Why?"
• "Can you imagine what might happen after the sunrise?"

Lower Order Questions (to support basic recall)

• "What colours are you using for the sun?"
• "How many strips of paper are you cutting?"
• "What shape is the sun?"

Assessment & Feedback

• Formative assessment: Teacher observes students’ ability to use scissors safely and glue accurately to layer colours.
• Listen for use of colour vocabulary and descriptive language during discussions.
• Provide personalised positive feedback focused on effort, colour choices, and neatness.

Differentiation

• Support students with limited fine motor skills by pre-cutting paper strips if necessary.
• Offer additional verbal prompts and sentence starters during sharing time.

Extensions/Homework

• Encourage students to observe a sunrise at home and draw or paint what they see in their own time.
• Introduce a simple story or poem about sunrise for literacy integration.

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This lesson plan blends hands-on creative tasks with sensory observation and language development, fully aligned with the IE Curriculum’s cross-curricular competencies for early years art, and supports inclusion with scaffolding. It provides a memorable multi-sensory experience that taps into natural phenomena, imagination, and emotional expression.