Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 2
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Visual Art
Previous Lesson: Elements of Design: Elements and Principles of Design in Art Making.
Topic: Continuation of Nigerian Cultural Art
Subject Matter: Characteristic features, location and origin of Esie soapstone works; characteristic features, location and origin of Tsode bronze; wood carving of Ekpo (Ibibios and Annangs); production and use of the artworks.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify Esie soapstone works, Tsode bronze, and Ekpo wood carving as Nigerian cultural artworks.
State the location and origin of Esie soapstone works and Tsode bronze.
List characteristic features of Esie soapstone works and Tsode bronze.
Describe Ekpo wood carving of the Ibibios and Annangs and state its cultural use.
Explain the production processes and uses of the artworks discussed.

Affective Domain:

Show interest in Nigerian cultural heritage and traditional art forms.
Appreciate the role of cultural artworks in community identity and history.
Demonstrate respect for cultural values and traditions during discussion.

Psychomotor Domain:

Sketch a simple outline of one cultural artwork discussed (figure, mask, or relief) with key features labelled.
Arrange picture cut-outs or illustrations into correct groups (Esie, Tsode, Ekpo) during class activity.
Produce a short written note summarizing features and uses of one artwork.

Participate in group discussion and present findings on one artwork.
Work cooperatively to interpret pictures and share notes materials.
Listen to other groups and contribute politely during class talk.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
New Practical Fine Art for Senior Secondary Schools (relevant chapter on Nigerian traditional arts)
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Nigerian Art
The Met: Art of Nigeria
British Museum: Africa Collection

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Book illustrations and textbook pictures of Esie soapstone figures, Tsode bronzes, and Ekpo masks
Magazine pictures and printed images of Nigerian cultural artworks
Map of Nigeria showing Kwara State (Esie), Niger/Benue area (Tsode/Nupe), and Akwa Ibom/Cross River area (Ibibio and Annang)
Board and markers/chalk
Notebooks and writing materials

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils to understand important Nigerian cultural artworks and where they came from. It also helps pupils to value how artworks were produced and used in communities for identity, history, and social life.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of Nigerian cultural arts studied in the previous lesson and can mention at least one early Nigerian art tradition.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Continuation of Nigerian Cultural Art

Esie Soapstone Works

Esie soapstone works are carved stone figures associated with Esie in Kwara State, Nigeria.

The following are characteristic features of Esie soapstone works:

Mostly human figures carved in stone.
Seated or standing postures, often calm and formal.
Clear facial features, sometimes with marks or ornaments.
Smooth surfaces due to soapstone material.
Simple but detailed body parts such as head, hands, and clothing lines.

The following are the location and origin of Esie soapstone works:

Location: Esie town, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Origin: Traditional carved soapstone figures preserved as cultural heritage.

Tsode Bronze

Tsode bronze refers to bronze works linked to the Nupe area, known for metal casting and cultural objects.

The following are characteristic features of Tsode bronze:

Made from bronze or brass using casting methods.
Human figures, heads, or symbolic forms may appear.
Solid and durable metal objects with smooth or patterned surfaces.
Details may include facial marks, jewellery, and costume features.
Often used as royal, cultural, or commemorative objects.

The following are the location and origin of Tsode bronze:

Location: Nupe area, Niger State and surrounding regions.
Origin: Traditional metal casting associated with Nupe culture and historical settlements.

Ekpo Wood Carving of Ibibios and Annangs

Ekpo wood carving refers to carved masks and figures used in Ekpo society and related cultural practices among the Ibibio and Annang people.

The following are characteristic features of Ekpo wood carving:

Made from carved wood, often in mask form.
Strong facial expressions, sometimes exaggerated eyes, nose, or mouth.
May include carved patterns, paint, or added materials for decoration.
Designed for performance and public display during ceremonies.
Different mask types reflect roles, ranks, or messages in the community.

The following are the location and origin of Ekpo wood carving:

Location: Akwa Ibom and parts of Cross River State, Nigeria.
Origin: Traditional carving practices connected to Ibibio and Annang cultural institutions.

Production and Use of the Artworks

The following are common production processes and uses of the artworks:

Production (Esie soapstone): Selecting soapstone, rough shaping, carving with tools, smoothing, and finishing.
Production (Tsode bronze): Preparing a model, mould making, melting metal, casting, cooling, cleaning, and finishing.
Production (Ekpo wood carving): Selecting wood, rough carving, detailing, smoothing, painting/decorating, and final finishing.
Uses: Cultural identity and heritage preservation.
Uses: Ceremonies, festivals, and traditional performances.
Uses: Royal or community symbols and historical remembrance.
Uses: Teaching values, enforcing social order, and communicating messages in traditional settings.

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 displays pictures of Esie soapstone figures, a bronze cast object, and an Ekpo mask, then asks pupils to identify what they think each artwork is made from and used for.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures and respond by naming materials such as stone, metal, and wood and suggesting possible uses.
Learning Point: Nigerian cultural artworks exist in different materials and serve different cultural purposes.

Step 2: Esie Soapstone Works

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains Esie soapstone works, highlights key features, and guides pupils to locate Esie on a map.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy notes and mention at least three features of Esie soapstone works.
Learning Point: Esie soapstone works are carved stone figures linked to Esie in Kwara State.

Step 3: Tsode Bronze

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation with Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains Tsode bronze, describes features of bronze casting products, and guides pupils to locate the Nupe area on a map.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils list key features and state the location associated with Tsode bronze.
Learning Point: Tsode bronze represents traditional metal casting associated with Nupe culture.

Step 4: Ekpo Wood Carving (Ibibio and Annang)

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads discussion on Ekpo wood carving, focusing on mask features and cultural use among Ibibio and Annang people, using pictures for illustration.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils describe features seen in the pictures and state where the artworks are found.
Learning Point: Ekpo wood carving produces masks used in cultural performances and community life.

Step 5: Production Processes of the Artworks

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher outlines simple steps used in carving and casting and demonstrates with sketches on the board (stone carving, wood carving, and metal casting stages).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the steps and arrange picture cut-outs into correct groups based on production method.
Learning Point: Different materials require different production methods such as carving and casting.

Step 6: Uses of the Artworks

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Question and Answer
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to state uses of the artworks in culture, ceremonies, and heritage preservation, and writes key points on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention uses and give one example of how an artwork can serve a community purpose.
Learning Point: Nigerian cultural artworks have practical cultural and social uses beyond decoration.

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 three Nigerian cultural artworks discussed in this lesson.
State three characteristic features of Esie soapstone works.
State the location and origin of Tsode bronze.
List four uses of Nigerian cultural artworks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summary and Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes key points on features, locations, origins, and uses, then gives an assignment for pupils to write short notes on one artwork and draw a labelled sketch of it.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils ask final questions, copy the assignment, and submit class notes where required.
Learning Point: Knowledge of Nigerian cultural art includes identifying features, locations, origins, production, and uses.

Lesson Keywords

Soapstone – Soft stone that can be carved into figures.
Esie – A town in Kwara State linked with soapstone figures.
Bronze – A metal used for casting durable art objects.
Tsode – Name linked to traditional bronze works in the Nupe area.
Ekpo – Cultural institution linked to carved masks and performances.
Ibibio – Ethnic group in Akwa Ibom area known for cultural mask traditions.
Annang – Ethnic group in Akwa Ibom area with related cultural practices.
Casting – Pouring molten metal into a mould to form an object.
Carving – Cutting and shaping wood or stone to create an artwork.

Differentiation

Pupils who need support will work with labelled pictures and complete a simple table for each artwork (name, material, location, one use). Pupils who progress faster will compare two artworks by listing differences in material, production method, and cultural use.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Use clear pictures and a map to support location and origin. Emphasize short, well-structured notes and lists for examinations, and guide pupils to separate features, location, origin, production, and uses when writing answers.