Co-curricular

Design a Diorama

7 February 2023

Create a miniature world, inspired by a book, to celebrate World Book Day 2023!

What is a diorama?!

A diorama is a replica of a scene, typically a three-dimensional model. For this challenge, in celebration of World Book Day 2023, we’re asking children in the Pre-Prep, as well as Years 3 & 4, to create their very own diorama using a favourite book as inspiration.

Building a diorama can be a lot of fun, but can also help children really analyse a scene described by a favourite book, helping them to deeply understand and engage with the story and all the little details it contains. They also have the added bonus of helping children to solve small engineering challenges to build a structure, and explore their creativity. What’s not to love?

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to create a miniature world inspired by a scene in a book. For ideas, use descriptions, book blurbs, illustrations, scenes from movies, book covers, above all, your imagination! Have fun! Mrs Butcher, Pennthorpe Librarian

Mrs Butcher suggests you create your diorama using a cardboard box, with the lid to protect your model. It’s not essential to use a shoebox, you could make the base and the walls of your diorama out of any bits or cardboard, but a shoe box is just a good starting point.

Follow Mrs Butcher’s steps below, or flex and do your own thing!

Write your name and class on the lid and box so that they can be matched together and identify who you are
With your shoebox on its side, paint the walls/sky and floor/ground to begin your scene
Start to bring your book to life with anything that inspires you: glitter, spare wallpaper, paint, ribbons, coloured card, yarn, recycling that can be upcycled etc.
Add characters if you wish, perhaps using small toys or lego (please don’t bring precious things into school in case they get lost).
Hand completed dioramas in to the Library by Friday 24th February.

Three house points will be awarded for each entry, and prizes awarded for entries showcasing outstanding effort. Entries will also be displayed in the Library or around the school.

What will you create?! If you need any further inspiration, check out some great examples of dioramas below.