Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 6
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Painting And Decoration
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Border Design: Meaning of border design, motifs, modulation & pattern.
Topic: PHOTO MONTAGE
Subject Matter: Border designs, photo mounting, layout composition

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define photo montage.
List the materials required for creating a photo montage.
Explain the steps involved in making a photo montage.
Describe different types of border designs.
Identify principles of good layout composition.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the aesthetic value of photo montage as an art form.
Show interest in creating their own photo montages.
Develop patience and attention to detail during the creation process.

Psychomotor Domain:

Select and arrange photos effectively.
Cut and trim materials neatly.
Apply glue precisely for mounting photos.
Create suitable border designs for a photo montage.
Mount photos onto a surface to achieve a desired layout.

Collaborate with peers when discussing design ideas.
Share materials respectfully during practical activities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Cultural and Creative Arts.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Painting and Decoration (SSS 1).
Painting and Decoration for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Sample photo montages
Various photos (printed or cut from magazines)
Glue (PVA glue or glue stick)
Cardboard or mounting board
Markers or coloured pencils
Scissors
Rulers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how to combine different images to create a new artistic statement. It develops their creativity, design skills, and ability to present visual information attractively, which are useful for personal expression and potential career paths in design or decoration.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have a basic understanding of art elements like line, shape, and colour, and be familiar with handling simple craft materials such as scissors, glue, and paper.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

PHOTO MONTAGE

Definition of Photo Montage

Photo montage is an art form created by assembling and combining several photographs or parts of photographs to create a new composite image. The combined image often tells a story, conveys a message, or creates an artistic impression that is different from the individual pictures.

Materials for Photo Montage

The following are common materials used for photo montage:

Photographs (various sizes and themes)
Mounting board or cardboard
Scissors or craft knife
Glue (PVA glue, glue stick, or spray adhesive)
Ruler
Pencil
Eraser
Markers, coloured pencils, or paint (for borders and embellishments)

Steps in Creating a Photo Montage

The following are the general steps to create a photo montage:

Planning: Decide on a theme or message for the montage. Select and collect suitable photographs.
Arrangement: Arrange the chosen photographs on the mounting board without glue to experiment with different layouts and compositions.
Trimming: Trim or cut the photographs to desired shapes and sizes to fit the chosen layout.
Gluing: Carefully apply glue to the back of each photo and firmly press it onto the mounting board in the planned arrangement.
Border Design: Add borders or decorative elements around the photos or the entire montage.
Finishing: Allow the glue to dry completely. Add any final touches or protective coatings.

Border Designs in Photo Montage

Border designs enhance the overall appearance of a photo montage and can frame the images or the entire piece. They can be simple or elaborate.

Common approaches to border designs include:

Simple Lines: Using markers or pencils to draw single or multiple lines around photos or the edge of the board.
Geometric Shapes: Creating patterns with squares, triangles, or circles.
Textured Borders: Adding materials like fabric, sand, or smaller paper cut-outs to create texture.
Thematic Borders: Designing borders that reflect the theme of the montage, e.g., leaves for a nature theme.
Colour Blocking: Using solid blocks of colour to define edges.

Layout Composition

Layout composition refers to the arrangement of visual elements within the montage to create a pleasing and effective design. Good composition helps to guide the viewer’s eye and convey the intended message.

Key principles of layout composition include:

Balance: Distributing visual weight evenly across the composition. This can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Emphasis: Creating a focal point to draw attention to the most important part of the montage.
Rhythm: Repeating elements to create a sense of movement or pattern.
Unity/Harmony: Ensuring all elements work together cohesively to form a complete and pleasing whole.
Contrast: Using differences in size, shape, colour, or texture to create visual interest.
Proximity: Grouping related items together to create order.

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 if they have ever seen a collection of different pictures put together to form one big picture or tell a story. The teacher shows a few examples of photo montages.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and observe the examples shown.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of combining pictures.

Step 2: Presentation of Topic

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Introduction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher formally introduces the topic “PHOTO MONTAGE” and writes it on the board. The teacher states the lesson objectives to the pupils.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and write down the topic in their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils know the topic and what they are expected to learn.

Step 3: Explanation of Photo Montage and Materials

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Definition/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines photo montage, explaining its purpose. The teacher then lists and displays the various materials needed for creating a photo montage, explaining the function of each material.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and observe the materials displayed. They may ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what photo montage is and the tools/materials required.

Step 4: Demonstration of Steps and Concepts

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the basic steps in creating a photo montage, including arranging photos, trimming, and applying glue. The teacher also explains different border designs and principles of layout composition using visual examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration carefully and ask questions. They mentally plan their own designs.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the practical process and theoretical aspects of design.

Step 5: Practical Activity – Planning and Arrangement

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guidance/Supervision
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes materials (photos, cardboard, scissors) and instructs pupils to select their photos, decide on a theme, and begin arranging them on their mounting boards without glue, focusing on layout and composition. The teacher moves around to provide guidance.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils select photos, trim them if necessary, and experiment with different arrangements on their boards.
Learning Point: Pupils apply principles of layout composition and planning.

Step 6: Practical Activity – Mounting and Border Design

Time: 15 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Support
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher instructs pupils to carefully glue their photos in place once they are satisfied with their arrangement. The teacher then guides them to add border designs using markers or other available materials.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils carefully glue their photos and then design and add borders to their montages.
Learning Point: Pupils develop practical skills in mounting and decorative design.

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 photo montage?
List four materials needed to create a photo montage.
Mention three steps involved in creating a photo montage.
State two principles of good layout composition.

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/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson on photo montage, border designs, and layout composition. The teacher assigns pupils to complete their montages at home and bring them for display in the next class.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary, ask any final questions, and note down the assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for future application.

Lesson Keywords

Photo Montage – An art form created by combining several photographs or parts of photographs to create a new composite image.
Border Design – Decorative elements added around photos or the edge of a montage to enhance its appearance.
Layout – The arrangement of visual elements within a design.
Mounting – The process of attaching photographs onto a backing surface.
Composition – The organization of elements in a work of art to create a unified and aesthetically pleasing whole.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to create a montage with a more complex theme or incorporate mixed media elements. For pupils who need more support, the teacher can provide pre-cut photos or guide them step-by-step through a simpler design, focusing on basic gluing and arrangement.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure all materials are readily available and prepared before the lesson begins. Encourage pupils to be creative and express their individuality through their photo montages. Emphasize neatness and careful handling of materials. Provide ample space for practical work.