Note for teachers using this lesson plan
This lesson focuses on the practical application of art elements through collage in decorative work. Ensure all necessary materials (beads, sand, broken bottles, thread, fabric scraps, glue, board templates, etc.) are prepared beforehand. Guide students through the demonstration process, emphasizing safety when handling materials like broken bottles. By the end of the lesson, students should be able to create a simple decorative collage using various materials.
Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Clothing and Textiles
Curriculum Theme: Art Elements in Decorative Work
Previous Lesson:
Topic: ART ELEMENTS IN DECORATIVE WORK
Subject Matter: WORK; Collage – thread, sand, bottle filling etc; (Practical)
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Define collage as a decorative art form.
- Identify various materials suitable for making collage.
- List the steps involved in creating a simple collage.
Affective Domain
- Appreciate the aesthetic value of decorative collage work.
- Show interest in experimenting with different materials for collage.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate the process of making a collage using provided materials.
- Create a decorative collage piece applying basic art elements.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
- Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
- Clothing and Textile for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 3
- The HeadTeacher Scheme of work
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Beads
- Sand
- Broken bottle pieces (smooth edges)
- Thread
- Fabric scraps
- Small stones/pebbles
- Dried leaves/flowers
- Glue (PVA or UHU)
- Scissors
- Board templates (cardboard, plywood)
- Pencils and rulers
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important as it introduces students to practical decorative techniques using everyday materials, enhancing their creativity and understanding of art elements. It provides hands-on experience in collage making, a skill applicable in various textile and fashion design contexts for embellishment and surface decoration.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Students should have basic knowledge of art elements like line, shape, colour, and texture, and some exposure to simple decorative techniques.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
ART ELEMENTS IN DECORATIVE WORK
Meaning of Collage
Collage is an art technique where various materials, such as paper, fabric, photographs, and other objects, are assembled and glued onto a surface to create a new whole or image. It is a form of decorative work that allows for creativity and expression using diverse textures and colours.
Materials for Making Collage
A wide range of materials can be used to create collages, providing different textures and visual interests. Common materials include:
- Threads and Yarns: For creating lines, patterns, and soft textures.
- Sand: To add granular texture and natural tones.
- Bottle Fillings/Broken Bottle Pieces: For reflective surfaces, sparkle, and unique shapes (ensure edges are smooth and safe).
- Beads: To provide sparkle, colour, and three-dimensional elements.
- Fabric Scraps: For varied textures, patterns, and colours, especially relevant in textile work.
- Dried Leaves and Flowers: To introduce natural, organic forms and textures.
- Small Stones and Pebbles: For earthy textures and weight.
- Paper and Magazine Cut-outs: For images, text, and flat colour areas.
- Glue: An essential adhesive to bind all materials to the base.
- Base Material: Cardboard, plywood, or thick paper to serve as the foundation for the collage.
Steps in Making a Decorative Collage
Creating a collage involves several practical steps to ensure a well-composed and durable piece:
- Prepare the Base: Choose a sturdy base material like cardboard or plywood. You may sketch a basic outline or design on it.
- Gather Materials: Collect and sort all the desired collage materials (threads, sand, bottle pieces, beads, fabric scraps, etc.).
- Plan the Design: Arrange the materials loosely on the base to visualize the composition before gluing. Consider art elements like balance, contrast, and texture.
- Apply Adhesive: Apply glue to the back of each material piece or directly to the base where the material will be placed.
- Attach Materials: Carefully place and press each material onto the glued area of the base. For smaller materials like sand or tiny beads, spread glue on an area and sprinkle the material over it.
- Layering: Build up layers of materials to create depth and interest.
- Drying: Allow the collage to dry completely, preferably under a flat weight to prevent warping, especially if using a lot of glue.
- Finishing: Once dry, trim any excess material if necessary. A protective sealant or varnish can be applied for durability and shine, if desired.
Importance of Collage in Decorative Work
Collage is a versatile technique that holds significant importance in decorative work, particularly in clothing and textiles. It:
- Encourages creativity and experimentation with materials.
- Adds unique textures and visual interest to surfaces.
- Allows for the recycling and repurposing of diverse materials.
- Can be used for embellishing garments, accessories, and home decor items.
- Develops fine motor skills and an understanding of composition and design.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Demonstration, Practical Activity, Discussion, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall different types of decorative work they know or have seen. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Art Elements in Decorative Work, focusing on Collage.”
Students’ Activity: Students respond by mentioning examples of decorative work like embroidery, painting, or tie and dye. They listen attentively to the topic introduction.
Learning Point: Lesson engagement
Step 2: Explanation of Collage
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines collage as an art technique involving assembling and gluing various materials onto a surface. The teacher explains how collage allows for creative expression using diverse textures and colours.
Students’ Activity: Students listen and ask questions for clarification. They copy the definition of collage into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Meaning of collage
Step 3: Materials for Collage
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Identifying
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various materials (beads, sand, broken bottle pieces, threads, fabric scraps, dried leaves, etc.) and discusses how each can be used in collage. The teacher emphasizes safety when handling materials like broken glass (ensuring smooth edges).
Students’ Activity: Students observe the materials, identify them, and discuss their potential use in collage. They note down the different materials.
Learning Point: Collage material identification
Step 4: Demonstration of Collage
Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstrating/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher practically demonstrates the steps of making a simple collage on a board template, showing how to arrange, glue, and layer different materials. The teacher highlights the consideration of art elements like balance and texture.
Students’ Activity: Students observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully, paying attention to the techniques and safety precautions.
Learning Point: Collage making process
Step 5: Guided Practice
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guiding/Supervising
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes materials to students and guides them to begin creating their own simple decorative collages based on the demonstration. The teacher moves around, offering assistance and correcting techniques.
Students’ Activity: Students start working on their individual collage pieces, applying the techniques learned from the demonstration.
Learning Point: Practical collage creation
Step 6: Application/Reinforcement
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcing/Encouraging
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages students to continue working on their collages, emphasizing creativity and the effective use of art elements. The teacher reminds them to consider how these decorative works could be applied to textile projects.
Students’ Activity: Students continue to refine their collage designs, experimenting with material placement and layering.
Learning Point: Decorative work application
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- What is collage?
- Mention three materials that can be used for collage.
- Briefly describe two steps in making a collage.
- How can collage be useful in clothing and textiles?
Students’ Activity: Students answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Collage making assessment
Step 8: Note-Taking
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Writing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning of collage, materials, and steps into their notebooks.
Students’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Essential notes copying
Step 9: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Consolidating
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the lesson, reiterating the importance of collage as a creative decorative technique using various materials and its relevance to clothing and textiles.
Students’ Activity: Students listen and prepare for the next lesson.
Learning Point: Lesson summary reinforcement
Continuous Assessment/Further Study
Type: Project/Homework
Instruction: Students are to complete their decorative collage pieces at home and bring them to the next class for display and peer review. They should also research other types of decorative work that incorporate mixed media.
- Complete your decorative collage piece, ensuring it is neat and dry.
- Identify and list three other types of decorative work that use various materials.
- Briefly describe how one of these other decorative works is created.
Lesson Keywords
- Collage – An art technique where various materials are assembled and glued onto a surface.
- Decorative Work – Art or craft intended to enhance the aesthetic appeal of an object or space.
- Materials – The substances or components used to create an artwork, such as thread, sand, beads, fabric.
- Texture – The perceived surface quality of a work of art, often created through the use of different materials.
- Embellishment – The act of adding decorative details or features to something.
Differentiation
For weaker learners, provide pre-cut materials and simpler templates, focusing on basic gluing and arrangement. Offer more direct guidance and one-on-one support during the practical activity. For faster learners, encourage them to experiment with more complex designs, incorporate a wider variety of materials, or explore thematic collages. They can also research the historical context of collage or its application in high fashion.
Suggested Lesson Videos
For further understanding and visual examples, search on YouTube for: collage making for senior secondary students textiles
Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan
Before the lesson, ensure all instructional materials, especially beads, sand, thread, fabric scraps, and pre-cut bottle pieces with smooth edges, are readily available and organized for easy distribution. Begin by engaging students with questions about decorative work to activate prior knowledge. Clearly define collage and explain the range of materials that can be used, emphasizing safety. The demonstration of collage making is crucial; show each step clearly and slowly. During guided practice, circulate among students to provide individual support and correct any errors in technique or material handling. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the practical demonstration and evaluation to consolidate their learning. Encourage creativity and allow students to express their unique ideas in their collage work. Remind students to handle sharp materials with care and to clean up their workstations after the practical session.

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