Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Dying and Bleaching
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Colour Scheme Practical: Mixing Secondary and Tertiary Colours.
Topic: FORMATION OF MOTIF- INTRODUCTION TO CREATION AND FORMATION OF MOTIF OR FORMAT AREA.
Subject Matter: meaning of motif and stencil, creation of motif design, cutting a stencil motif, preparing a format area for design work

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define motif and stencil.
State the steps involved in creating a motif design.
Explain how to prepare a format area for design work.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of safety when using cutting tools.
Show interest in creating various motif designs.

Psychomotor Domain:

Create a simple motif design.
Cut a stencil motif from cardboard.
Prepare a format area suitable for design application.

Demonstrate neatness and precision in practical work.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA).
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools.
Oyelola, P. (2007). Everyday Art: A Cultural and Creative Arts Textbook for Senior Secondary Schools. University Press PLC.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Cardboard
Pencil
Eraser
Ruler
Scissors or craft knife
Cutting mat
Examples of motif designs and stencils

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the basic elements of design formation, specifically motifs and stencils, which are foundational skills in dyeing and bleaching. It enables pupils to create their own patterns, fostering creativity and practical skills that can be applied in various artistic and vocational contexts.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of drawing simple shapes and patterns and understand the concept of design in art.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

FORMATION OF MOTIF

Meaning of Motif and Stencil

A motif is a single, repeated design or pattern. It is the basic unit from which a larger pattern or design can be built. Motifs can be abstract, geometric, or representational (e.g., flowers, animals, symbols).

A stencil is a thin sheet of material (like cardboard, plastic, or metal) with a design cut out of it. Ink, paint, or dye can be applied through the cut-out areas to reproduce the design on another surface. Stencils are used to create repeated patterns quickly and accurately.

Creation of Motif Design

Creating a motif design involves several steps:

Idea Generation: Decide on the subject or theme for the motif (e.g., leaf, star, abstract shape).
Sketching: Lightly sketch the desired design on a piece of paper, focusing on clear outlines.
Refinement: Refine the sketch, ensuring the lines are clean and the design is balanced.
Transfer: Transfer the final design onto a suitable material for stencil cutting (e.g., cardboard).

Cutting a Stencil Motif

Cutting a stencil motif requires precision and care:

Preparation: Place the cardboard with the transferred design on a cutting mat to protect the work surface.
Tools: Use a sharp craft knife or scissors, depending on the complexity of the design.
Cutting Technique: Carefully cut along the outlines of the motif. For intricate designs, use a craft knife for better control. Ensure all cut-out parts are removed cleanly.
Safety: Always cut away from the body and keep fingers clear of the blade path.

Preparing a Format Area for Design Work

A format area is the specific space or surface on which a design will be applied. Preparing it is important for a successful outcome:

Selection: Choose the material or surface (e.g., fabric, paper) where the motif will be printed.
Cleaning: Ensure the surface is clean, dry, and free from wrinkles or dust.
Positioning: Mark out the exact area where the motif will be placed. This can involve drawing light guidelines with a pencil or using masking tape to define the boundaries.
Securing: If working with fabric, ensure it is stretched taut and secured to prevent movement during the design application.

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 welcomes the pupils and reviews the previous lesson briefly. The teacher then introduces the topic “Formation of Motif” by showing examples of fabrics or artworks with repeated patterns and asking pupils what they observe.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and observe the examples.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the topic and connect it to real-world examples.

Step 2: Meaning of Motif and Stencil

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines “motif” and “stencil” using simple language and visual aids (pictures or actual stencils). The teacher explains how motifs are individual design units and stencils are tools for reproduction.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definitions of motif and stencil.

Step 3: Creation of Motif Design

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Instruction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and demonstrates the steps involved in creating a simple motif design (e.g., a leaf or a geometric shape) on paper, from sketching to refinement. The teacher emphasizes neatness and clarity of lines.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and begin to sketch their own simple motif designs on paper.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the process of designing a motif.

Step 4: Cutting a Stencil Motif

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Guidance
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to carefully cut out the sketched motif from cardboard using scissors or a craft knife on a cutting mat. The teacher emphasizes safety precautions while using cutting tools.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils transfer their refined motif designs onto cardboard and carefully cut out their stencil motifs under the teacher’s supervision, ensuring safety.
Learning Point: Pupils gain practical skills in cutting a stencil motif safely and accurately.

Step 5: Preparing a Format Area for Design Work

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a “format area” is and demonstrates how to prepare a small piece of paper or fabric as a format area, showing how to mark boundaries and secure the material if needed.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and prepare a small format area (e.g., on a piece of paper) for their motif using a ruler and pencil.
Learning Point: Pupils understand how to prepare a surface for design application.

Step 6: Practice/Application

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher moves around the classroom, providing individual assistance and feedback to pupils as they continue working on their motif designs, stencil cutting, and format area preparation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils continue refining their work, applying the learned techniques.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their practical skills with guided support.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is a motif?
Define a stencil.
Mention two steps involved in creating a motif design.
State one safety precaution when cutting a stencil.

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, reiterating the importance of motif formation in design. The teacher then assigns homework, asking pupils to create two different simple motif designs and cut them out as stencils.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils review the lesson and prepare for further practice.

Lesson Keywords

Motif – A single, repeated design or pattern.
Stencil – A thin sheet of material with a design cut out, used for reproducing patterns.
Format Area – The specific surface or space where a design will be applied.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, encourage them to create more intricate motif designs or research different types of motifs. For pupils who need more support, provide pre-drawn motif templates for cutting or give closer individual guidance during the practical steps.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure a sufficient supply of materials and emphasize safety during practical sessions, especially when pupils are using cutting tools. Supervise closely and provide constructive feedback to help pupils develop their skills effectively.