Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Printing Craft
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Introduction To Printing: Art Of Printing And Importance Of Printing.
Topic: ORIGIN OF PRINTING
Subject Matter: Chinese wood block printing, Early print history from 1200BC to 700BC, Use of pictures to study early printing, Comparison of wood block printing and relief printing

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define the origin of printing.
Describe early print history from 1200BC to 700BC.
Explain the process of Chinese wood block printing.
Compare wood block printing with relief printing.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the historical development of printing.
Participate actively in class discussions about early printing.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify materials used in wood block printing.
Demonstrate simple steps of wood block printing.

Collaborate with peers in learning about printing history.
Ask and answer questions effectively regarding early printing.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Printing Craft.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools.
Printing Craft for Senior Secondary Schools by a relevant author.
https://www.britannica.com/technology/printing/The-beginnings-woodblock-printing
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/wdbl/hd_wdbl.htm

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Wood block
Carving tools
Ink
Brayer/roller
Paper sheets
Sample relief prints
Pictures or charts illustrating early printing methods (e.g., Chinese wood block printing).

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the historical foundation of printing technology, which is essential for appreciating modern printing processes. Learning about the origin of printing enables pupils to connect historical methods to current practices and recognize the ingenuity involved in early communication and reproduction of texts and images.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have a basic understanding of art forms and methods of visual communication.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

ORIGIN OF PRINTING

Early Print History (1200BC – 700BC)

Early printing refers to the methods used to reproduce images and text before the invention of the printing press. This period saw the development of various techniques, often involving carving and pressing.

Significant periods in early print history include:

1200BC: Early forms of stamping and seal making were used in ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt.
700BC: Development of seals and impressions in China and other parts of Asia, used for official documents and religious texts.

Chinese Wood Block Printing

Chinese wood block printing is one of the oldest methods of printing on paper, originating in China. It involves carving an image or text into a block of wood, inking the raised areas, and then pressing the block onto paper or fabric to transfer the image.

The process generally involves:

Designing the image or text.
Transferring the design to a smooth block of wood.
Carving away the non-printing areas, leaving the design in relief.
Applying ink to the raised surface of the wood block.
Placing paper over the inked block and rubbing the back of the paper to transfer the ink.

Use of Pictures to Study Early Printing

Pictures, illustrations, and historical artifacts are important tools for studying early printing. They provide visual evidence of the tools, techniques, and results of ancient printing methods. Observing these visual aids helps in understanding the processes and the evolution of printing technology.

Comparison of Wood Block Printing and Relief Printing

Wood block printing is a specific type of relief printing. Relief printing is a general term for any printing method where the printing surface is raised, and the non-printing areas are cut away.

The following are points of comparison:

Definition: Wood block printing specifically uses wood as the matrix, while relief printing can use various materials like linoleum, metal, or wood.
Technique: Both involve carving away non-printing areas to leave a raised image.
Historical Context: Wood block printing is one of the earliest known forms of relief printing, particularly from East Asia.
Tools: While carving tools are common, the specific tools and methods might vary slightly depending on the material used for the relief block.

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 asks them to name different ways information is communicated today (e.g., newspapers, books, internet). The teacher then explains that all these rely on printing and asks how they think printing first started. This leads to the lesson topic.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the topic and connect it to modern communication methods.

Step 2: Early Print History

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Lecture
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of early print history, mentioning the use of seals and stamps in ancient civilizations from 1200BC to 700BC. The teacher uses charts or pictures to illustrate these early forms of impression making.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the visual aids, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils gain knowledge of the timeline and early developments in printing.

Step 3: Chinese Wood Block Printing

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains Chinese wood block printing, detailing its origin and the general process. Using a prepared wood block and carving tools, the teacher demonstrates how a design is carved and how ink is applied to the raised areas.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the fundamental steps and materials involved in wood block printing.

Step 4: Practical Demonstration and Participation

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher further demonstrates the printing process by applying ink with a brayer to a carved wood block and pressing it onto paper. If feasible, the teacher guides a few pupils to attempt simple steps like rubbing the paper over an inked block.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe closely and participate in simple steps under supervision.
Learning Point: Pupils experience the practical aspect of wood block printing.

Step 5: Studying Early Printing with Pictures

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Instruction/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various pictures or charts showing examples of ancient prints, carving tools, and historical printing processes. The teacher encourages pupils to describe what they see and how these visuals help in understanding early printing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures, discuss their observations, and contribute to the class discussion.
Learning Point: Pupils learn how visual aids enhance the study of historical printing methods.

Step 6: Comparison of Wood Block Printing and Relief Printing

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Comparison/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the broader concept of relief printing and positions wood block printing as a specific method within it. The teacher highlights the similarities and differences, using sample relief prints made from other materials if available.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, compare the concepts, and ask questions.
Learning Point: Pupils differentiate between wood block printing and the general category of relief printing.

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 meant by early print history?
Mention two key periods in early print history.
Describe the basic process of Chinese wood block printing.
State one difference between wood block printing and general relief printing.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Consolidation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of understanding the origin of printing. The teacher assigns homework, asking pupils to research other early printing methods like movable type.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to explore further.

Lesson Keywords

Printing – The process of producing texts and images on paper or other materials.
Wood Block – A piece of wood carved with a design, used for printing.
Relief Printing – A printing method where the raised surface of a block carries the ink.
Brayer – A hand roller used to apply ink to a printing surface.
Carving Tools – Instruments used to cut and shape materials like wood for printing.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research specific historical figures or inventions related to early printing. For those who need more support, the teacher will provide simplified diagrams and offer one-on-one guidance during the practical demonstration, focusing on identifying the materials and basic steps.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure all instructional materials are prepared before the lesson. The practical demonstration should be brief and focused on illustrating the concept rather than achieving perfect prints. Encourage pupils to ask questions and foster an interactive learning environment. Emphasize the connection between historical methods and modern printing technology.