Basic 7 · Creative Arts and Design · Term Revision
Term Revision in Creative Arts and Design
In this topic you will recall and summarise the main ideas of design, visual arts and performing arts covered during the term, and practise answering end-of-term questions.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Recall the key ideas in design, visual arts and performing arts
- Apply the term's knowledge in a short practical review task
- Answer revision questions accurately and with explanations
What you already know
- All topics covered in Creative Arts and Design this term
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
Revision helps you link everything you have learnt into one clear picture. In this lesson you will review the big ideas of the term and test yourself.
1. Design
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| design as a concept | the planned arrangement of elements; found in nature and the manmade environment |
| roles of design | function, beauty, communication, identity, problem solving, income |
| elements of design | dot, line, shape, form, colour, texture, space |
| principles of design | balance, rhythm, proportion, emphasis, contrast, unity, variety, movement |
| design process | identify, research, generate ideas, develop, make, evaluate, display |
2. Visual Arts
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| still-life drawing | observe, measure proportion, outline lightly, shade four or more tones |
| shading | hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, blending; highlight, core shadow, cast shadow |
| pattern making | motif, repeats, stamping, stencilling, tie-and-dye, batik, weaving |
| modelling | pinching, coiling, slab; score, slip and smooth to join clay |
| art criticism | describe, analyse, interpret, judge |
3. Performing Arts
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| pitch and the major scale | d r m f s l t d'; pattern T T S T T T S; Curwen hand signs |
| reading music | treble staff lines E G B D F, spaces F A C E |
| composing | beat, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, ostinato, call and response |
| dance and drama | gestures with meaning, voice projection, skits, dance-drama, Anansegoro |
| Ghanaian artistes | Ephraim Amu, Nketia, Efua Sutherland, Ama Ata Aidoo, Mawere Opoku |
Tip: Make one mind map for each strand and stick them in your exercise book.
4. Linking the Strands
The three strands of the term are closely connected. The elements and principles of design are used in every still-life drawing, poster and pattern. The design process that guides the making of a basket also guides the creation of a song or a dance-drama: identify a need, research, create ideas, develop, rehearse or make, evaluate and display. Community culture links everything, because Ghanaian artefacts, songs and dances all carry the history and values of the people. When you revise, look for these links instead of learning each topic separately.
New words
- revision
- Going over what has been learnt to remember it better.
- mind map
- A diagram that links ideas around a central topic.
- strand
- A major area of a subject.
- review
- To look at something again carefully.
Summary
- Design covers concepts, elements, principles and the design process.
- Visual arts covers drawing, shading, pattern making, modelling and criticism.
- Performing arts covers pitch, the major scale, composing, dance, drama and artistes.
Class activity: Practical Review
- Each learner chooses one Ghanaian artefact from the photographs.
- Make a quick observational sketch and label one design feature.
- Groups display and explain their sketches as a short practical review.
You need: Pencils, Drawing paper, Printed photographs of Ghanaian stools, Baskets
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which of these is a principle of design?
- A. Balance
- B. Line
- C. Colour
- D. Texture
Show answer
Answer: BalanceThe others are elements.2. The pattern of the major scale is…
- A. T T S T T T S
- B. T T T S T T S
- C. T S T T T S T
- D. S T T T T S T
Show answer
Answer: T T S T T T STone, tone, semitone...3. Coiling is a pattern-making technique.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt is a modelling technique.4. The first stage of the design process is to identify the ______.
Show answer
Answer: problemOr the need.5. Name the four steps of art criticism.
Show answer
Answer: Describe, analyse, interpret, judge.In order.6. Explain how still-life drawing and the principles of design are connected.
Show answer
Answer: Arranging still-life objects uses balance, emphasis and proportion, and shading uses contrast to show form.Linking strands.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
Practising questions before the examination builds confidence. Read each question carefully, plan your answer and check your work before you finish.
1. How to Answer Questions Well
- Read every question twice and underline the key words, such as "name", "explain" or "describe".
- For "name" or "list", give short answers.
- For "explain" or "describe", give reasons or details in full sentences.
- For drawing questions, draw large, label clearly and use a ruler for label lines.
- Manage your time and check your answers at the end.
2. Sample Questions and Model Answers
Practice question 1
Explain the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical balance.
- Symmetrical balance: both sides of a centre line are the same, like an Asante stool.
- Asymmetrical balance: different elements with equal visual weight, like one big shape balanced by small ones.
Answer: Symmetrical balance is a mirror image; asymmetrical balance uses different but equally weighted parts.
Practice question 2
Write the sol-fa of the major scale and mark the semitones.
- Scale: d r m f s l t d'.
- Semitones are between m and f, and between t and d'.
Answer: d r m^f s l t^d' (^ marks a semitone)
Practice question 3
Describe how to join two pieces of clay.
- Score both surfaces with a modelling tool.
- Apply slip to the scored areas.
- Press the pieces together and smooth the join.
Answer: Score, slip, press and smooth, keeping both pieces equally damp.
Practice question 4
Name the stages of appraising a performance and give an example comment.
- Describe what happened in the performance.
- Analyse how music, movement and voice were used.
- Interpret the message or story.
- Judge its success with reasons.
Answer: Example: "The drums and singers ended together, and the slow Adowa gestures clearly showed mourning, so the message was successful."
3. Preparing for the Holidays
During the holidays, keep your skills alive. Sketch objects at home, practise singing the scale, watch a cultural performance and collect pictures of Ghanaian artefacts for next term. Keep your sketchbook safe; it is a record of your growth as an artist.
New words
- model answer
- An example of a complete, correct answer.
- key word
- An important word that tells you what a question asks.
- label
- A word or line naming part of a drawing.
- sketchbook
- A book for recording drawings and ideas.
Summary
- Read questions carefully and notice the key instruction words.
- Practise with model answers to check your understanding.
- Keep practising art and music skills during the holidays.
Class activity: Revision Quiz
- Answer ten quick questions from the teacher on all three strands.
- Swap books and mark with the teacher's model answers.
- Correct any mistakes in your exercise book.
You need: Pencils, Drawing paper, Printed photographs of Ghanaian stools, Baskets
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Shading with many tiny dots is called…
- A. stippling
- B. hatching
- C. blending
- D. scribbling
Show answer
Answer: stipplingDot shading.2. "The Dilemma of a Ghost" was written by…
- A. Ama Ata Aidoo
- B. Efua Sutherland
- C. Ephraim Amu
- D. Mawere Opoku
Show answer
Answer: Ama Ata AidooA famous Ghanaian play.3. The treble staff spaces spell FACE.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueBottom to top.4. A short pattern repeated many times in music is an ______.
Show answer
Answer: ostinatoRepeated pattern.5. List three elements and three principles of design.
Show answer
Answer: Elements: line, shape, colour. Principles: balance, rhythm, contrast.Any correct three each.6. Describe how you would plan and present a short musical performance.
Show answer
Answer: Plan the programme, performers, instruments, venue and costume; rehearse; arrange the stage; perform; then appraise.Planning to appraisal.
Homework
- Make a mind map for each of the three strands of the term.
- Answer the practice questions again without looking at the model answers.