Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 7
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Painting And Decoration
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Book And Jacket Cover: Practical Book Cover Production.
Topic: GREETING CARDS
Subject Matter: Printed greeting cards, handmade greeting cards, card making materials

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define greeting cards.
Differentiate between printed and handmade greeting cards.
List common materials used for making greeting cards.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the value of handmade greeting cards.
Show interest in creating their own greeting cards.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify various card making materials.
Demonstrate basic steps in making a simple greeting card.

Discuss different design ideas for greeting cards.
Share their card making experiences with peers.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Creative Arts (Senior Secondary).
Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools.
Creative Arts for Senior Secondary Schools by A.O. Ajayi and B.O. Idowu.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Samples of printed greeting cards.
Samples of handmade greeting cards.
Cardboard sheets (various colours).
Poster colours and brushes.
Cutting knife/scissors.
Found objects (e.g., dry leaves, fabric scraps, buttons).
Pencils, erasers, rulers.
Whiteboard/chalkboard and markers/chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the different forms of greeting cards and the materials used to create them. It enables them to appreciate the artistic and personal value of handmade cards, encouraging creativity and practical skills that can be applied in daily life and for small businesses.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of drawing, colouring, cutting, and pasting from their previous creative arts lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

GREETING CARDS

Definition of Greeting Cards

A greeting card is an illustrated piece of card or high-quality paper featuring an expression of friendship or other sentiment. It is usually given on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, or other holidays, or to convey thanks, congratulations, sympathy, or love.

Types of Greeting Cards

There are two main types of greeting cards:

Printed Greeting Cards: These are mass-produced cards designed and printed by machines. They are widely available in stores and often feature generic designs and messages.
Handmade Greeting Cards: These are cards crafted by individuals using various materials and techniques. They are unique, often personalized, and carry a special touch from the creator.

Card Making Materials

The following are some common materials used for making greeting cards:

Cardboard: Forms the base or structure of the card.
Poster colour: Used for painting, drawing, and adding vibrant colours to designs.
Cutting knife/Scissors: Essential tools for shaping, trimming, and creating intricate designs on the cardboard.
Found objects: Items like dry leaves, fabric scraps, buttons, beads, or yarn that can be glued onto the card to add texture and visual interest.
Glue/Adhesive: Used to attach different materials to the cardboard.
Pencils and Erasers: For sketching designs before applying permanent colours.
Rulers: For straight lines and accurate measurements.

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 briefly. The teacher then asks pupils if they have ever received or given a card for a birthday or special occasion, leading them to the topic of greeting cards.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and share their experiences with greeting cards.
Learning Point: Pupils connect previous knowledge with the new topic and are introduced to greeting cards.

Step 2: Explanation of Greeting Cards

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines what a greeting card is, emphasizing its purpose as a means of communication for various sentiments and occasions. The teacher shows examples of different greeting cards.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the card samples, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition and purpose of greeting cards.

Step 3: Types of Greeting Cards

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Differentiation/Comparison
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and differentiates between printed and handmade greeting cards, highlighting the characteristics of each. The teacher uses samples to illustrate the differences.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the differences between the types of cards and discuss their preferences.
Learning Point: Pupils can distinguish between printed and handmade greeting cards.

Step 4: Card Making Materials

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces various materials used for making greeting cards, showing each material and briefly explaining its use. This includes cardboard, poster colour, cutting knife, and found objects.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the materials, listen to their uses, and identify them by name.
Learning Point: Pupils learn to identify and understand the function of different card making materials.

Step 5: Demonstration/Practical Discussion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Instruction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly demonstrates or discusses the basic steps involved in making a simple greeting card, such as folding cardboard, sketching a design, and applying colour or attachments. The teacher emphasizes safety when using cutting tools.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and ask questions about the process.
Learning Point: Pupils gain an understanding of the practical process of card making.

Step 6: Pupils’ Engagement

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Collaborative Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages pupils to discuss design ideas for different occasions and suggests how they might combine the materials to create unique cards.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss design concepts and share their ideas for making greeting cards.
Learning Point: Pupils develop creative thinking and design skills related to card making.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

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

Define a greeting card.
Mention two types of greeting cards you have learned.
List three materials that can be used to make a handmade greeting card.
State one importance of making a handmade greeting card.

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 key points of the lesson, reiterating the definition, types, and materials for greeting cards. The teacher assigns homework for pupils to sketch a design for a greeting card for a specific occasion.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are given an opportunity for further practice.

Lesson Keywords

Greeting Cards – Illustrated cards expressing sentiments for various occasions.
Printed Cards – Mass-produced cards with generic designs and messages.
Handmade Cards – Unique, personalized cards crafted by individuals.
Cardboard – Stiff paper material used as the base for cards.
Poster Colour – Opaque, water-based paint used for design and colour.
Cutting Knife – A tool used for cutting and shaping materials.
Found Objects – Everyday items used for decoration on cards (e.g., leaves, buttons).

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to create a more complex card design or research advanced card-making techniques. For pupils who need more support, the teacher can provide pre-cut shapes or simpler design templates and offer one-on-one guidance during the practical discussion.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure that all cutting tools are handled with care and proper supervision is provided. Encourage pupils to explore their creativity and personalize their cards. Emphasize the economic potential of handmade crafts.