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Meaning of art and Types of art for JSS 1

JSS 1 Cultural And Creative Arts lesson on meaning of art and Types of art. The lesson covers the stated curriculum content, enriched explanations, skills, activities and performance objectives.

Royal AlikorByRoyal AlikorPublishedSep 7, 2026Reading7 minComments0

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

This lesson introduces JSS 1 students to the fundamental concepts of art, covering its meaning and various types. Teachers should prepare visual aids like pictures and short videos to make the abstract concepts concrete and engaging. Emphasise the importance of art in everyday life and culture. By the end of the lesson, students should clearly understand what art is and be able to identify its main forms.

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Curriculum Theme: Arts, Culture and History
Focal competence: Recognising different art forms in cultural and historical contexts
Key competencies/values: Communication
Skills:

  • List two main types of art

Previous Lesson:
Topic: Introduction To Art
Subject Matter: Meaning of art, Types of art

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

  • define art;
  • identify the types of art;
  • list two main types of art;
  • explain the importance of art.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

  • 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
  • Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
  • Cultural and Creative Arts for Junior Secondary Schools 1
  • The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

  • Pictures showing different art forms (e.g., painting, sculpture, music, drama)
  • Short videos demonstrating various branches and importance of arts
  • Audio-visual equipment (projector, speaker)
  • Internet access for video streaming
  • Charts displaying definitions and types of art

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is essential for laying a foundational understanding of art, which is integral to human culture and expression. It helps students appreciate the diverse ways people create and communicate, fostering creativity and critical thinking. By understanding art, students can better connect with their cultural heritage and the world around them.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students have some basic understanding of creative activities from their primary school experiences, such as drawing, singing, or storytelling.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Introduction To Art

Meaning of Art

Art is a diverse range of human activities involving creative imagination and skill to express ideas, emotions, or beauty in a visual, auditory, or performing form. It is a way for people to communicate without words, share their experiences, and interpret the world.

Types of Art

Art can be broadly categorised into two main types:

  1. **Visual Arts:** These are art forms that are primarily visual in nature. They are created to be seen.
  2. **Performing Arts:** These are art forms where the artist uses their body, voice, or objects to convey artistic expression. They are created to be performed.
Examples of Visual Arts
  1. **Drawing:** Creating images using lines and shades (e.g., pencil sketches, charcoal drawings).
  2. **Painting:** Applying pigments to a surface (e.g., oil paintings, watercolour).
  3. **Sculpture:** Creating three-dimensional forms from materials like clay, wood, or metal.
  4. **Crafts:** Making decorative or functional objects by hand (e.g., pottery, weaving, jewellery making).
  5. **Photography:** Creating images by recording light onto a sensitive medium.
Examples of Performing Arts
  1. **Music:** Organised sound and rhythm used to express emotions or tell stories (e.g., singing, playing instruments).
  2. **Dance:** Expressing ideas and emotions through movement of the body.
  3. **Drama/Theatre:** Storytelling through acting, dialogue, and stage performance.
  4. **Poetry Recitation:** Performing spoken poetry.

Importance of Art

Art plays a vital role in human life and society. Its importance includes:

  1. **Expression:** Art provides a powerful way for individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
  2. **Communication:** It serves as a universal language, allowing people to communicate across cultures and generations.
  3. **Cultural Preservation:** Art forms like traditional dances, music, and crafts help preserve cultural heritage and identity.
  4. **Education:** Art teaches observation, creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
  5. **Entertainment:** It offers enjoyment, relaxation, and inspiration to audiences.
  6. **Social Commentary:** Art can be used to raise awareness about social issues and inspire change.
  7. **Economic Value:** The art industry provides livelihoods for artists and contributes to the economy.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Group Work, Audio-visual presentation.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to mention any creative activity they enjoy doing, such as drawing, singing, or dancing. The teacher then introduces the topic “Introduction to Art” and explains that art is all around us.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by mentioning various creative activities they enjoy.

Learning Point: Art in daily life

Step 2: Meaning of Art

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of art using simple language and relatable examples. The teacher defines art as human creativity and skill to express ideas, emotions, or beauty, showing pictures of different artworks.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen attentively, observe the pictures, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Definition of art

Step 3: Identification of Types of Art

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Classification/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the two main types of art: Visual Arts and Performing Arts. The teacher shows more pictures and short video clips, asking students to identify whether each example is something they see or something they perform.

Pupils’ Activity: Students watch the videos/pictures and identify the type of art shown, categorising them as visual or performing.

Learning Point: Two main art types

Step 4: Listing Examples of Visual Arts

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Listing/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher further explains Visual Arts and gives examples like drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography, showing corresponding images. The teacher asks students to list other visual art forms they know.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe, and contribute to the list of visual art examples.

Learning Point: Examples of visual arts

Step 5: Listing Examples of Performing Arts

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Listing/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains Performing Arts and gives examples like music, dance, and drama, showing short video clips of each. The teacher encourages students to share their experiences with performing arts.

Pupils’ Activity: Students watch, listen, and share their experiences or knowledge of performing arts.

Learning Point: Examples of performing arts

Step 6: Explanation of the Importance of Art

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the importance of art in society, highlighting its roles in expression, communication, cultural preservation, and entertainment. The teacher facilitates a brief class discussion on how art affects their daily lives.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and participate in the discussion, sharing their views on the importance of art.

Learning Point: Importance of art

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

  1. What is art?
  2. Mention the two main types of art.
  3. Give two examples of visual arts.
  4. State two reasons why art is important.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding art concepts

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning, types, and importance of art into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reiterating the meaning, types, and importance of art. The teacher encourages students to observe different art forms around them.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

  1. Find and draw one example of visual art and one example of performing art that you see or experience in your community.
  2. In your own words, explain how art helps people to communicate.

Lesson Keywords

  • Art – The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination.
  • Visual Arts – Art forms that are primarily visual in nature, such as drawing, painting, and sculpture.
  • Performing Arts – Art forms where artists use their bodies or voices to convey artistic expression, such as music, dance, and drama.
  • Expression – The process of making known one’s thoughts or feelings.
  • Culture – The customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or group.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher will provide simplified definitions and more direct examples, focusing on identifying just one visual and one performing art. Faster learners will be encouraged to research and present on an unusual art form or discuss how technology influences art today.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For relevant educational videos, search on YouTube for: meaning and types of art jss1

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure all instructional materials, especially pictures, charts, and video clips, are prepared and easily accessible. The lesson should flow from defining art to identifying its types and understanding its importance. Encourage active participation through questions and discussions. During Step 7 (Evaluation), ensure students answer both orally and in writing to check individual understanding. Students should copy the Board Summary notes during Step 8. For weaker learners, provide extra visual cues and simpler questions. For advanced learners, challenge them with questions about the role of art in different cultures. Emphasise classroom management during video presentations and group discussions.

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