Chocolate Factory Creations

Overview

This 50-minute session invites Year 3 pupils to explore imaginative art and design through hands-on activities inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. By linking this to literacy and science, pupils develop creativity alongside observational skills, reflecting key strands from the National Curriculum for England.

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National Curriculum Links

• Art & Design

  • Key Stage 2, Year 3:
    • Use a range of materials creatively to design and make products (NC Programmes of Study - Art and Design).
    • Develop techniques including drawing, painting and sculpture with increasing control and creativity.
    • Use their sketchbooks to collect and record visual information from different sources.

• English (Link: Story Context)

  • Develop pleasure in reading, motivation to read, vocabulary and understanding by familiarising with stories and poems (NC Year 3).

• Science (Link: Materials and their Properties)

  • Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, pupils will be able to:

• Create a 3D model of a chocolate bar wrapper inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, demonstrating creativity and control over materials.
• Use sketchbooks to plan designs and annotate ideas linked to the story.
• Understand and explain why certain materials are suited for packaging chocolate (cross-curricular link to science).
• Develop vocabulary linked to materials and design inspired by the story.

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Resources

• Sketchbooks or plain paper sheets
• Pencils, colouring pencils, crayons, markers
• Cardboard, coloured paper, foil, textured fabrics
• Glue sticks, scissors, masking tape
• Sample wrappers/packaging for chocolate bars
• Images and selected extracts from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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Lesson Outline

Starter (10 minutes)

1. Engage with the text:
   Read aloud or show a short animated video extract describing the chocolate factory and some of the fantastical sweets featured in the story.
2. Discussion:
   Prompt pupils – What would your own chocolate bar look like? What special flavours or designs would it have?
3. Introduce materials vocabulary:
   Show samples of packaging (foil, cardboard, paper) and discuss why some are good for chocolate packaging (e.g., keeping it fresh, attractive).

Assessment: Pupils verbally share one idea about packaging or design.

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Main Activity (30 minutes)

1. Sketch Planning (10 min):
   Pupils begin by sketching their chocolate bar wrapper in sketchbooks or on paper.

   • Encourage use of imaginative designs, colours, logos, and special chocolate bar names linked to the story.
   • They annotate materials they want to use and why.

2. Making the Wrapper (20 min):
   Working in pairs or small groups (2-3), pupils create a prototype wrapper/model using provided materials.

   • Emphasise texture, colour, and neatness.
   • Encourage exploration of layering materials (e.g., foil over coloured paper) for effect.

Differentiation:

• Support pupils who struggle with cutting or gluing by assigning helper roles or using pre-cut materials.

Assessment: Observe pupils’ ability to select and manipulate materials purposefully. Check annotated designs for thoughtful planning.

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Plenary (10 minutes)

1. Gallery Walk:
   Pupils display their chocolate wrappers. Each pupil/group explains their design choices and material selection, linking back to the story and material suitability.
2. Reflective Q&A:
   Teacher asks:
   • What challenges did you face when using these materials?
   • How does your design tell the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
3. Link back to curriculum:
   Briefly highlight how art skills and science knowledge about materials worked together in this task.

Assessment: Peer and teacher listen for use of subject vocabulary and depth of explanation.

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Extensions and Cross-Curricular Links

• English: Write a short persuasive blurb for their chocolate bar.
• Science: Investigate melting or packaging properties of chocolate wrappers.
• Maths: Measure and design wrapper dimensions to fit a ‘standard’ chocolate bar size.

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Final Notes

This session promotes creativity, collaboration, and reflection grounded in the National Curriculum. It leverages pupils’ interests and connects art with literacy and science in a meaningful, multisensory way. The hands-on approach ensures engagement and deeper understanding suited to Year 3 learners.