Doti’s Creative Adventure

Lesson Overview

Subject: Art and Design
Age Group: Reception (Foundation Phase)
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 24 students
Curriculum Area: Expressive Arts – Foundation Phase Curriculum for Wales (2022)

This engaging and immersive lesson will allow Reception children to explore their creativity through the exciting adventures of their class mascot, Doti the Dragon, who is currently visiting Cardigan. Through storytelling, painting, and craftwork, pupils will develop their expressive skills while making cross-curricular links to geography, language, and well-being.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

• Express artistic ideas inspired by Doti’s adventure in Cardigan using various materials.
• Explore and experiment with different textures and colours to reflect landscapes and landmarks.
• Develop fine motor skills through painting, cutting, and sticking materials.
• Enhance communication and social skills by discussing their artwork and storytelling.

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Cross-Curricular Links

This lesson follows the principles set by the Curriculum for Wales 2022, integrating Expressive Arts with other Areas of Learning:

• Languages, Literacy and Communication: Language development through storytelling and discussion.
• Humanities: Learning about places in Wales through Doti’s adventure.
• Health and Well-being: Encouraging creativity and emotional expression.
• Science and Technology: Experimenting with materials and textures.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction – 10 minutes

🎭 Storytelling - "Doti’s Cardigan Adventure" (Teacher-led discussion)

• Gather children in a circle and introduce the lesson with excitement:
  "Doti the Dragon has been travelling all over the world! Right now, he’s in a special place called Cardigan – a magical place with castles, rivers, and beautiful landscapes!"
• Show pictures of Cardigan Castle, the River Teifi, and the coastal scenery.
• Ask open-ended questions:
  • What do you think Doti has seen in Cardigan?
  • What colours do you think Cardigan has?
  • If we could send Doti a postcard, what would it look like?

2. Main Activity Part 1 – 20 minutes

🖌️ Create ‘Doti’s Postcard from Cardigan’

• Each child will design a colourful postcard from Doti’s trip using mixed media (paint, coloured tissue paper, sand, and card).
• Encourage them to include landmarks like Cardigan Castle, the sea, or the countryside.
• Allow freedom for creativity – children can use different materials to add textures to their artwork.
• Support language skills by asking children to share what they are creating aloud.

3. Main Activity Part 2 – 20 minutes

🎨 Crafting Doti’s Travel Scrapbook

• Using pre-cut dragon templates, children will decorate a "Doti Memory Page" with materials (glitter, fabric, crayon rubbings, etc.).
• Encourage them to draw what Doti might have loved most about Cardigan (e.g., flying over the River Teifi, exploring the castle).
• Each child's scrapbook page will be compiled into a class travel book for storytelling and display.

4. Plenary – 10 minutes

🗣️ Show and Tell – ‘Doti’s Gallery’

• Children will take turns showing their postcards or scrapbook pages.
• Ask reflective questions:
  • What do you love about your artwork?
  • What did you learn about Cardigan?
  • How do you think Doti felt on his adventure?
• End with a group celebration (music & clapping) to recognise their fantastic efforts.

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Resources

• Pre-cut dragon templates
• Cardstock for postcards
• Paints, brushes, sponges
• Tissue paper, sand, glue, fabric scraps
• Photographs of Cardigan landmarks (for reference)

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Assessment Opportunities

✔ Observational Assessment – Monitor engagement and creativity.
✔ Questioning – Gauge understanding through discussion.
✔ Self-Reflection – Encourage children to express opinions on their work.

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Extension & Challenge

• Sensory Exploration: Let children feel different textures (sand, twigs, fabric) to inspire their artwork.
• Outdoor Learning: Take children outside to explore local natural textures and colours.
• Audio Story: Record a voice note of children telling Doti’s adventure for a digital scrapbook!

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Teacher’s Reflection

At the end of the lesson, reflect on the following:
✅ Were children engaged and expressive?
✅ Did they experiment confidently with materials?
✅ Were they able to describe their artwork and ideas?

This lesson will leave children excited about Doti's adventures while enriching their creative and communication skills! 🐉✨