Making characters from simple shapes

Inspired by World Book Day and supporting the development of mathematical understanding by making representations of characters from popular books using basic shapes.

In this classroom activity learners will use the inspiration from a well-known book (The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe) to make a 2-dimensional image representing one of the main characters using basic shapes.

For copyright reasons we are not allowed to name the character, although it should be obvious! They will then proceed to make a “D image of a character of their choice.

This links reading in English, mathematical understanding of shapes, making skills in Design & Technology and the use of Art skills to produce the design.

This teaching resource could be used as a one-off lesson activity in Key Stage 1 to reinforce understanding of basic shapes or to develop designing and construction skills. Alternatively, it could be used as an engagement activity, to support learners activities in literacy.

We’ve created this teaching resource design activity to support the delivery of key topics within mathematics, art, design & technology (D&T) and engineering.

Activity: Designing a character from your favourite book using basic shapes

Learners will make a character from their favourite book by building up simple shapes, the example we have provided is a lion from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Tools/supplies needed:

Resources required:

• Paper
• Basic shapes of various sizes and colours, either self-adhesive or with glue sticks
• Drawing implements: colouring pencils or pens, pencils and rulers
• Optional – tracing paper
• Optional – background images of various characters from learners’ favourite books

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make a character from simple shapes

Learners will work individually or in pairs to design and make their character.

• What character do you want to represent?
• What shapes will you use?
• What colours will you use on your design?
• What happens when you rearrange your shapes?
• Build up your picture, one shape at a time.
• Add additional details such as a tail and mane.
• Add eyes and a mouth.

The Engineering Context

All designers and engineers need to be able to break complicated problems down into simpler parts, so that they can successfully solve the design challenge. This is the same skill as breaking down complex images into simple shapes, but in a different context!

Suggested learning outcomes

This resource combines design and technology with Art & Design and Maths with the aim that the learners will be able to identify a square, triangle and circle, and be able to construct a 2D image using basic shapes.

Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources

All classroom activity sheets and supporting teaching resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

You can download our step-by-step instructions below as either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation.

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