Introduction to Diorama - Pedagogy Ideas

Purposes of Diorama
The purposes of the diorama include:
• demonstrate pupil knowledge and understanding of a concept.
• demonstrate relationships of components to each other.
• represent a historical, scientific, or fantasy scene.
• interpret concepts at museums, architectural firms, and other organizations.
• communicate nature scenes, geologic representations and many other concepts.
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Types of Diorama
There are many models of diorama. This section includes five models:
• Flat Surface Model
• Shoe Box Model
• Cardboard Box Model
• Tri-fold Model
• Gourd Model
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Materials Flat Surface
Model
Base
Materials
Natural
Materials
Other
Materials
To Make
Materials
Materials for Diorama
The table illustrates the materials needed for each type of diorama. It is
important to substitute materials that are available in your local
environment.
Shoe Box
Model
Cardboard
Box Model
Tri-fold
Model
tray or board shoe box cardboard box card paper 60
cm x 60 cm
grass, straw,
sand, leaves,
flowers, twigs,
seeds, pebbles,
shells,
recycled
paper, boxes,
bags, fabric,
clay, paper
maché
scissors,
stapler,
staples, paste,
paper, card,
paint, paint
brush,
crayons,
markers,
plasticine
Refer to
Making
Materials
Section
grass, straw,
sand, leaves,
flowers, twigs,
seeds, pebbles,
shells,
recycled
paper, boxes,
bags, fabric,
clay, paper
maché
scissors,
stapler,
staples, paste,
paper, card,
paint, paint
brush,
crayons,
markers,
plasticine
Refer to
Making
Materials
Section
grass, straw,
sand, leaves,
flowers, twigs,
seeds, pebbles,
shells, recycled
paper, boxes,
bags, fabric,
clay, paper
maché
scissors,
stapler,
staples, paste,
paper, card,
paint, paint
brush,
crayons,
markers,
plasticine
Refer to
Making
Materials
Section
grass, straw,
sand, leaves,
flowers, twigs,
seeds, pebbles,
shells,
recycled
paper, boxes,
bags, fabric,
clay, paper
maché
scissors,
stapler,
staples, paste,
paper, card,
paint, paint
brush,
crayons,
markers,
plasticine
Refer to
Making
Materials
Section
gourd
Gourd
Model
grass, straw,
sand, leaves,
flowers, twigs,
seeds, pebbles,
shells,
recycled
paper, boxes,
bags, fabric,
clay, paper
maché
scissors,
stapler,
staples, paste,
paper, card,
paint, paint
brush,
crayons,
markers,
plasticine
Refer to
Making
Materials
Section
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Cut-outs for Diorama
The following figures can be used if the pupils do not want to draw
figures. It is best to encourage the pupils to be creative and draw their
own figures.
1. Cut-out the figures of the donkeys and Nyakundi leaving the tabs underneath
attached.
2. Make scenery for the diorama.
• Colour the ground green or use green construction paper or paste dried grass
to the bottom of the diorama.
• Draw the market buildings, colour, cut out and paste in the diorama.
• Draw the river using colours.
3. Fold under the base of the figures of the donkeys and Nyakundi so they stand up.
4. Arrange the figures in the diorama.
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General Procedure for Diorama
The following General Procedure describes the steps for building a
diorama for the story The Lazy Donkeys. Teachers should share with
the pupils an example of the model the pupils will be using. Verbal and
written directions are enhanced when an example model is available for
pupils to analyze.
1. Show pupils a model of the diorama and explain to pupils they are going to make a
model or a diorama of a scene from The Lazy Donkeys.
2. As a class, brainstorm the scenes in the story.
3. Record the pupil’s ideas on the chalkboard or on chart paper.
4. Divide the pupils into working groups of 5 or 6 pupils.
5. Have each group select a scene for their diorama.
6. Provide each pupil with a tray or board, a shoe box, a cardboard box, a piece of card
paper 60 cm. x 60 cm. or a gourd.
7. Have pupils paint the sides of each surface (back, sides and top). Blue can be used for
the sky, white for clouds, yellow for sunrise or sunset, brown for sand, and so on.
8. Have pupils create the landscape by gluing grass, straw, sand or dirt onto the floor of
the diorama. They can use paper maché, plasticine or clay to create rivers.
9. Have pupils make models of tukels, store houses, animal shelters, trees, or a bridge
and place in the diorama.
10. Have pupils make plants, trees, roads, donkeys, other animals and people with paper
maché, plasticine, clay or cardboard and set in the diorama.
11. Encourage pupils to read the story and look through resource books for details that
could be added to the diorama.
12. Give pupils an opportunity to present their diorama to the class. Pupils can also
explain the diorama, the scene and what each part represents.
13. For younger pupils present leading questions (For Example: What does the donkey
eat? Do you have any grain, rice, or straw in your diorama? Can you point that out to
us? How do you think the donkey will cross the river the next time?)
14. Have pupils complete the Pupil Self-Assessment at the end of this section.
Extensions
1. Give pupils an opportunity to present their projects to family members or to pupils in
another class. They can explain each part of the diorama and what it represents about
the story.
2. Create a Forest Scene using all the class dioramas. Have pupils arrange the dioramas
in a creative way on a large table or flat surface.
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• Flat Surface Model
• Shoe Box Model
• Cardboard Box Model
• Tri-fold Model
• Gourd Model
More about Types of Diorama Models
This section includes information about each of the four models of
diorama. Your selection of model will depend on the materials available in
your local environment. It is important to adapt, delete or add materials as
needed.
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Flat Surface Model
The Flat Surface Model is built on one of the following:
• cookie tray
• cake pan
• pizza pan
• shallow tray
• piece of board
• piece of styrofoam
• piece of strong cardboard
Contents
1. The Landscape (the trees, grass, rocks, roads, paths);
• glue grass, straw, twigs, leaves, sand, pebbles, or dirt onto the floor of the
diorama
• use paper maché, plasticine or clay to create hills, valleys and river banks
2. The River
• paint a river shape with blue paint
• use plastic blue bags, cut and shape into a river-shape, then glue
• Use plastic wrap for the river
3. Structures (tukels, storehouses, animal shelters, market, trees or bridge):
• glue clay, dirt, sand, paper maché, plasticine, cardboard, or paper
• glue leaves, twigs, pieces of wood
4. Animals and People
• use paper maché, plasticine, clay or cardboard
• use plastic or wooden toys
• use paper and cardboard
5. Putting the Diorama Together
• place the contents in the diorama, moving objects around until satisfied then
glue down
• make notes for presentation
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Shoe Box Model
The Shoe Box Model is created by:
• taking the lid off of a shoe box
• placing the box on its side
• turning the lid of the box upside down
• putting the lid under the box
• using the upside down lid to hold part of the diorama
Contents
1. The Landscape (the trees, grass, rocks, roads, paths);
• glue grass, straw, twigs, leaves, sand, pebbles, or dirt onto the floor of the
diorama
• use paper maché, plasticine or clay to create hills, valleys and river banks
2. The River
• paint a river shape with blue paint
• use plastic blue bags, cut and shape into a river-shape, then glue
• Use plastic wrap for the river
3. Structures (tukels, storehouses, animal shelters, market, trees or bridge):
• glue clay, dirt, sand, paper maché, plasticine, cardboard, or paper
• glue leaves, twigs, pieces of wood
4. Animals and People
• use paper maché, plasticine, clay or cardboard
• use plastic or wooden toys
• use paper and cardboard
5. Putting the Diorama Together
• place the contents in the diorama, moving objects around until satisfied then
glue down
• make notes for presentation
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The Cardboard Box Model
The Cardboard Box Model is made by:
• taking a cardboard box
• cutting all four flaps (from the top) off the box
• placing the box on its side
Contents
1. The Landscape (the trees, grass, rocks, roads, paths);
• glue grass, straw, twigs, leaves, sand, pebbles, or dirt onto the floor of the
diorama
• use paper maché, plasticine or clay to create hills, valleys and river banks
2. The River
• paint a river shape with blue paint
• use plastic blue bags, cut and shape into a river-shape, then glue
• Use plastic wrap for the river
3. Structures (tukels, storehouses, animal shelters, market, trees or bridge):
• glue clay, dirt, sand, paper maché, plasticine, cardboard, or paper
• glue leaves, twigs, pieces of wood
4. Animals and People
• use paper maché, plasticine, clay or cardboard
• use plastic or wooden toys
• use paper and cardboard
5. Putting the Diorama Together
• place the contents in the diorama, moving objects around until satisfied then
glue down
• make notes for presentation
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The Tri-fold Model
The Tri-fold Model (looks like the corner of a room) and is made by following the steps:
1
2
Use a rectangular piece of cardboard, strong
paper or construction paper.
3
Keep the paper folded and fold again.
5
Turn the paper horizontally.
7
Fold the paper to overlap the two squares
adjacent to the cut.
Hold the paper horizontally and fold in half.
4
Open the paper all the way.
6
In the center of the paper, rip or cut on the
fold half way down to the center of the
paper.
8
Staple together.
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Contents
1. The Landscape (the trees, grass, rocks, roads, paths);
• glue grass, straw, twigs, leaves, sand, pebbles, or dirt onto the floor of the
diorama
• use paper maché, plasticine or clay to create hills, valleys and river banks
2. The River
• paint a river shape with blue paint
• use plastic blue bags, cut and shape into a river-shape, then glue
• Use plastic wrap for the river
3. Structures (tukels, storehouses, animal shelters, market, trees or bridge):
• glue clay, dirt, sand, paper maché, plasticine, cardboard, or paper
• glue leaves, twigs, pieces of wood
4. Animals and People
• use paper maché, plasticine, clay or cardboard
• use plastic or wooden toys
• use paper and cardboard
5. Putting the Diorama Together
• place the contents in the diorama, moving objects around until satisfied then
glue down
• make notes for presentation
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The Gourd Model
The Gourd Model is made by:
• taking a gourd
• cutting a hole on one side like in the illustration
• drying the gourd
• placing the gourd on its rounded bottom
Contents
1. The Landscape (the trees, grass, rocks, roads, paths);
• glue grass, straw, twigs, leaves, sand, pebbles, or dirt onto the floor of the
diorama
• use paper maché, plasticine or clay to create hills, valleys and river banks
2. The River
• paint a river shape with blue paint
• use plastic blue bags, cut and shape into a river-shape, then glue
• Use plastic wrap for the river
3. Structures (tukels, storehouses, animal shelters, market, trees or bridge):
• glue clay, dirt, sand, paper maché, plasticine, cardboard, or paper
• glue leaves, twigs, pieces of wood
4. Animals and People
• use paper maché, plasticine, clay or cardboard
• use plastic or wooden toys
• use paper and cardboard
5. Putting the Diorama Together
• place the contents in the diorama, moving objects around until satisfied then
glue down
• make notes for presentation
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Pupil Self-Assessment
Copy or make the Pupil Self-assessment on the chalkboard or chart paper. Have pupils
complete the Pupil Self-Assessment to reflect on what they have learned about building the
diorama and presenting to the class.
Pupil Self-Assessment
Reflecting on My Learning
Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________
1. Topic: ___________________________________________________
2. Activity: _________________________________________________
3. What I learned: __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. Diagrams, Maps or Pictures:
5. I would like to learn more about: __________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
6. I would like to improve in: ________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
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