Introduce your students to the wonderfully strange world of Salvador Dalí, one of the most imaginative artists of the 20th century and a leading figure of the Surrealist movement.

In this engaging art history lesson, students will learn about Dalí’s life, his famous melting clocks, long-legged elephants, bizarre inventions, and larger-than-life personality. They will discover how Surrealist artists used dreams, imagination, and unexpected combinations of objects to create artworks that challenge reality and encourage creative thinking.

Students will explore some of Dalí’s most famous works, learn about the origins of Surrealism, and discover how artists can use imagination to create entire worlds that exist only in their minds.

After the lesson, students will create their own Dalí-inspired surreal dreamscape featuring long-legged elephants or horses and a fantastical background filled with imaginative objects and dreamlike scenes.

What’s Included:

• Child-friendly biography of Salvador Dalí
• Introduction to the Surrealist movement
• Fun and unusual facts about Dalí’s life
• Information about Dalí’s famous home in Portlligat, Spain
• Geography connections to Spain, France, and the Surrealist movement
• Discussion of Surrealism and dream-inspired art
• Overview of Dalí’s most famous artworks
• Teacher notes and classroom suggestions
• Elephant and horse templates for the art project
• Step-by-step project instructions
• Adaptations for different age groups and abilities
• Student artwork examples
• End-of-lesson discussion and reflection questions

Art Project

Students create a surreal dreamscape inspired by Dalí’s iconic long-legged animals. Using provided templates as a starting point, they will design imaginative worlds filled with unexpected objects, fantasy landscapes, and creative combinations inspired by the Surrealist movement.

Learning Focus

• Surrealism and imaginative thinking
• Creative problem-solving
• Self-expression through art
• Visual storytelling
• Art history and cultural connections
• Confidence in artistic experimentation

Perfect for primary art lessons, home education, art clubs, enrichment programmes, and studies of modern art movements.

Please note: Due to copyright restrictions, images of Salvador Dalí’s original artworks are not included. A list of recommended artworks to view online is provided within the lesson to support classroom discussion and analysis.