Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Art History
Previous Lesson: African Art History: West African Art Works Listing.
Topic: AFRICAN ART HISTORY (CONT).
Subject Matter: Ancient Egyptian painting, hieroglyphics forms on the walls of tombs, pyramids and temples

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Identify features of ancient Egyptian painting.
Describe where hieroglyphics were used.
Explain the purpose and function of hieroglyphics.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the cultural and historical significance of ancient Egyptian art.
Value the intricate details and symbolism in Egyptian artworks.

Psychomotor Domain:

Sketch simple motifs or forms inspired by ancient Egyptian art.
Analyze visual elements present in photographs of Egyptian wall art.

Discuss the contributions of ancient Egyptian art to world art history.
Collaborate in identifying different styles and uses of hieroglyphics.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Akinola, O. (2018). Visual Art for Senior Secondary Schools 2. Learn Africa Plc.
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/lap/hd_lap.htm
https://www.britannica.com/art/Egyptian-art

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Photographs of Egyptian wall art
Slides and projector showing images of ancient Egyptian tombs, pyramids, temples, paintings, and hieroglyphics
Printed museum images of ancient Egyptian art
Whiteboard or blackboard
Markers or chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the artistic achievements of ancient Egypt, providing a foundation for appreciating art history. It enables them to recognize unique styles and symbols that influenced later art forms and continue to be relevant in cultural studies today.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have general knowledge of early African civilizations and some basic understanding of art forms.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

AFRICAN ART HISTORY (CONT.)

Ancient Egyptian Painting

Ancient Egyptian painting is characterized by its distinctive style, which combined hieroglyphic writing and pictorial images. It served primarily religious and funerary purposes, adorning the walls of tombs, temples, and pyramids.

Key features of ancient Egyptian painting include:

Frontalism/Composite View: Figures are often shown with the head in profile, the eye and shoulders frontally, and the lower body in profile. This ensured all important features were visible.
Symbolism: Colours, animals, and objects carried specific meanings, conveying messages about the afterlife, deities, and the pharaoh’s power.
Use of Registers: Scenes were often arranged in horizontal bands or registers, read from top to bottom, detailing narratives or processes.
Proportionality: A grid system was used to maintain consistent proportions for human figures.
Limited Colour Palette: Earth tones, blues, greens, black, and white were predominantly used, with colours derived from minerals.

Hieroglyphics

Hieroglyphics were a formal writing system used by the ancient Egyptians. They combined logographic, syllabic, and alphabetic elements, making them both a form of writing and a significant artistic element.

The purpose and function of hieroglyphics included:

Recording historical events and religious texts.
Expressing prayers, spells, and instructions for the deceased in the afterlife.
Commemorating pharaohs and deities.
Decorating monumental structures with sacred and royal messages.

Hieroglyphics were prominently found on:

The walls of tombs, providing guidance for the journey to the afterlife.
Pyramids, often inside burial chambers.
Temples, detailing the acts of pharaohs and religious rituals.
Stelae, papyrus scrolls, and other smaller artifacts.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews the previous lesson on African art history. The teacher then introduces ancient Egyptian art as a continuation of African art history.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and recall points from the previous lesson. They listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils connect the current lesson to previous knowledge and understand the lesson’s context.

Step 2: Ancient Egyptian Painting Overview

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays photographs and slides of ancient Egyptian wall art, discussing its general characteristics and purposes. The teacher highlights common themes such as daily life, religious rituals, and the afterlife.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the images and identify general features like the use of figures and colours. They ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils gain an initial understanding of ancient Egyptian painting and its primary functions.

Step 3: Features of Egyptian Painting

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elucidation/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher elaborates on specific features of ancient Egyptian painting, such as frontalism (composite view), symbolism, the use of registers, and the limited colour palette. The teacher uses examples from the displayed images.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils note down the key features discussed and point them out in the projected images. They discuss why these features might have been important.
Learning Point: Pupils learn to identify and describe the unique stylistic elements of ancient Egyptian painting.

Step 4: Introduction to Hieroglyphics

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Definition/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces hieroglyphics as the ancient Egyptian writing system, explaining its dual role as both writing and art. The teacher shows images of hieroglyphic inscriptions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils describe what hieroglyphics look like and recognize their presence in Egyptian art. They discuss their initial thoughts on the purpose of such writing.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what hieroglyphics are and their visual appearance.

Step 5: Forms and Uses of Hieroglyphics

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Categorization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the different forms of hieroglyphics (logograms, phonograms) and their functions. The teacher also discusses where hieroglyphics were commonly found, such as on the walls of tombs, pyramids, and temples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify specific locations where hieroglyphics were used and list their various functions. They ask questions about the meaning of some symbols.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the purpose and common locations of hieroglyphics.

Step 6: Discussion and Clarification

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Question and Answer
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites pupils to ask any questions or seek clarification on any aspect of ancient Egyptian painting or hieroglyphics.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils ask questions about the lesson content. The pupils also answer questions from their peers or teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils’ understanding is deepened through interaction and clarification of doubts.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Mention two key features of ancient Egyptian painting.
Describe where hieroglyphics were typically used.
State two purposes of hieroglyphic writing in ancient Egypt.
What is “frontalism” in ancient Egyptian art?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, emphasizing the unique characteristics and importance of ancient Egyptian painting and hieroglyphics. The teacher assigns homework for pupils to research other forms of ancient African art.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for future topics.

Lesson Keywords

Ancient Egyptian Art – The art produced in ancient Egypt from about 3000 BC to 30 AD, characterized by its symbolic nature and use in tombs and temples.
Hieroglyphics – A formal writing system used by the ancient Egyptians, combining pictorial and phonetic elements.
Pyramids – Large, ancient structures with a square base and four triangular sides meeting at an apex, built as tombs for pharaohs.
Tombs – Burial places, often elaborately decorated, for the deceased, especially in ancient Egypt.
Frontalism – An artistic convention in ancient Egyptian art where figures are depicted with the head in profile and the body from a frontal perspective.
Symbolism – The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, common in ancient Egyptian art and religion.

Differentiation

For struggling learners, the teacher will provide simplified diagrams and focus on identifying only two main features of painting and two uses of hieroglyphics. Advanced learners will be encouraged to research specific pharaohs or dynasties and their artistic contributions, or to compare Egyptian art with other ancient art forms.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to actively participate in discussions and to critically analyze the visual examples provided. Emphasize the connection between art, religion, and daily life in ancient Egypt. Ensure the projector and slides are set up before the lesson begins to maximize time for visual engagement.