Lesson Plan Flip-Book
A ready-to-present session about dogs for nursery children. Turn the pages to read it with your class — or book a DAFT NEWS visit.
Dogs and Fairy Tales
Nursery · Ages 3–4
Presented by DAFT NEWS 🐾
About this lesson
Talking about dogs sparks interest in the group. Exploring the canine body — how many legs, ears and eyes — is a natural transition into maths. Children learn to distinguish the sounds dogs make and begin to understand what the animal is feeling or communicating. Chatting about where dogs walk, run and play opens a door to the outdoors and the weather we experience — not only in England, but other parts of the world too.
Whole Class Discussion
Canines: body, behaviour & environment
A group discussion about dogs. Invite the children to share and explore together.
- 1Ask who has a dog — or a friend's dog — and what its name is.
- 2Is their dog big or small?
- 3Does it have pointed ears or floppy ones?
- 4What sound does the dog make?
- 5Explore the sounds: barking, whining, growling, howling.
- 6Count the eyes, ears and legs. Is the tail fluffy, short or long?
- 7Does the dog wag its tail before the lead goes on?
- 8Will the dog walk in rain, sunshine, hail or snow?
- 9Where do dogs like to walk? The park, the woods, the secret dog garden?
Craft Activity Introduction
Working with arts and crafts
This activity prepares the children for drawing, colouring and developing their imagination through art and canines. Working with shapes, design, colours and materials — and experiencing the outdoors with their Crafty Dog.
- 1The group leader tells a dog story to give the children context of the dog and its environment.
- 2Children draw, colour and create — letting their imagination fly.
- 3Groups are formed — activities can be adapted to suit each child's age and ability.
Group 1: Long Dog
Create a colourful paper-chain dog
Taking their dog on a wonderful adventure. The children follow instructions to build their own colourful canine — and its story.
- 1Colour a rectangular piece of paper or card — spots, hearts, anything you like. Add newspaper cuttings if you want.
- 2Cut or tear the rectangle into strips to make the dog's body.
- 3Take one strip, bring the ends together and tape, glue or staple it into a loop.
- 4Thread the next strip through the loop to make a link. Repeat to build a long chain body.
- 5On a second piece of paper, draw the dog's head — trace around a yogurt pot for a circle. Cut it out (jagged edges add character!).
- 6Draw 2 eyes, a circle nose, dotted whiskers, and a "W" mouth.
- 7Draw, colour and cut out ears — or use pre-cut ones — and attach to each side of the head.
- 8Attach the head to the body with tape or a stapler.
- 9Glue newspaper cuttings to the body and tie string to a link for the dog's lead.
- 10Take the dog for a walk and share its story back in the classroom!
Materials
- 3 rectangular pieces of paper or card
- Tape, glue or stapler
- Crayons, paints or magazine cuttings
- String for the lead
- Yogurt pot (optional, for circles)
Your finished Long Dog!
Here's what your paper-chain pup could look like. Every dog will be unique — different colours, spots and ears. That's the magic of making your own!
Long Dogs ready to colour in, then take them for a walk 🐾
Group 2: Dancing Dog
Decorate a dog picture with a handle
The children colour and decorate a picture of a dog and attach a handle to make it a dancing dog. They choose colours and materials for their picture.
- 1Colour in a printed dog picture. Add newspaper, leaves, jewellery or glitter if you like.
- 2Choose the colours and materials for your dog.
- 3Secure a strip to the back of the picture to keep it upright and hold the handle.
- 4Join the strip ends together and tape.
- 5Secure the loop to the back of the dog so children can hold it.
- 6Take the dog for a walk and share your stories back in the classroom.
Materials
- Printed A4 dog picture
- 2 strips of cardboard
- Tape, glue or stapler
- Crayons, paints or magazine cuttings
- Newspapers, leaves, glitter
Your finished Dancing Dog!
Here's a coloured example to show the children. Add glitter, leaves or newspaper for extra sparkle — every dog can dance to its own tune!
A finished Dancing Dog, ready to boogie 🐾
Print your own colouring sheet
Print this dog picture for the children to colour in, then follow the steps to make it dance.
Want DAFT NEWS to visit your school?
A storyteller will run this session with your class — storytelling, dog talk and crafts — bringing the DAFT NEWS dogs to life.
Fee: by arrangement Enquire about a visitPrefer to deliver it yourself? Just turn the pages and off you go!
The End
Thanks for reading with DAFT NEWS 🐾
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