Basic 8 · Creative Arts and Design · Term Preparation
Preparing for the Term in Creative Arts and Design
In this topic you will review the key ideas of design, visual arts and performing arts from Basic 7, prepare your sketchbook and materials, and apply your knowledge in a short practical review.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Recall the elements and principles of design and basic drawing skills
- Recall the key ideas of music, dance and drama from Basic 7
- Prepare a sketchbook and set personal goals for the term
What you already know
- Creative Arts and Design, Basic 7
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Design
- Sub-strand
- Term Preparation
Introduction
Before building something new, a builder checks the foundation. In this lesson you will review what you learned about design and visual arts last year, so that this year's work stands on solid ground.
1. Elements and Principles of Design
| Area | Key points |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| design in nature and the manmade environment | leaf veins, spider webs; stools, kente, baskets |
2. Drawing and Shading Skills
In Basic 7 you learned to draw still-life objects by observation: placing the object in side light, measuring proportion with a pencil, sketching lightly and building tones from light to dark. You also learned shading techniques such as hatching, cross-hatching, stippling and blending. This term you will extend these skills to drawing from memory and imagination, using colour and digital tools.
3. Preparing Your Sketchbook
- Write your name, class and the subject on the cover.
- Divide it into sections for design, visual arts and performing arts.
- Collect pictures of Ghanaian artefacts and paste them in.
- Make a page for notes on tools, materials and techniques.
- Keep it neat; it is a record of your growth as an artist.
4. The Practical Review
Each learner chooses a Ghanaian example, such as a stool or basket, from the printed photographs. Make a quick observational sketch with a pencil and label one design feature, for example "symmetrical balance" or "repeated pattern". Groups then display and explain their sketches. This shows how much you remember and what you need to practise.
5. Looking Ahead
This term you will build on these foundations. You will draw from memory and imagination as well as from observation, explore colour and digital drawing, learn printmaking and weaving, and produce artworks that reflect different times and cultures. You will also make simple three-dimensional models from card and study Ghanaian visual artists such as El Anatsui and Ablade Glover. Keeping your sketchbook up to date will help you see how much you improve.
New words
- review
- To look again at what has been learned.
- sketchbook
- A book for drawings, ideas and notes.
- observational sketch
- A quick drawing made by looking at an object.
- design feature
- A notable part of a design, such as its pattern or balance.
Summary
- The elements and principles of design guide all creative work.
- Observational drawing and shading skills from Basic 7 will be extended this term.
- A well-organised sketchbook records ideas, research and progress.
Class activity: Sketch and Label
- Choose one Ghanaian artefact from the photographs.
- Make a quick observational sketch.
- Label one design feature and explain it to your group.
You need: Pencils, Drawing paper, Printed photographs of Ghanaian stools, Baskets
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is an element of design?
- A. colour
- B. balance
- C. unity
- D. rhythm
Show answer
Answer: colourThe others are principles.2. Shading with crossing lines is called…
- A. cross-hatching
- B. stippling
- C. blending
- D. outlining
Show answer
Answer: cross-hatchingLayers of lines.3. A sketchbook is used to record ideas and drawings.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueArtist's record.4. The first stage of the design process is to ______ the problem.
Show answer
Answer: identifyStart with the need.5. List four principles of design.
Show answer
Answer: Balance, rhythm, contrast, unity (or proportion, emphasis, variety, movement).Any four.6. Explain how labelling a design feature helps you understand a Ghanaian artefact.
Show answer
Answer: It makes you look closely and name how elements and principles are used, linking art knowledge to real objects.Analysis.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Performing Arts
- Sub-strand
- Term Preparation
Introduction
Music, dance and drama were an exciting part of Basic 7. In this lesson you will refresh your performing arts skills and set goals for the new term.
1. Review of Music
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| pitch | how high or low a sound is |
| major scale | d r m f s l t d'; pattern T T S T T T S |
| staff notation | treble clef; lines E G B D F; spaces F A C E |
| composing | beat, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, ostinato, call and response |
| musicians | Ephraim Amu, J. H. Kwabena Nketia, E. T. Mensah, Koo Nimo |
2. Review of Dance and Drama
You learned that Ghanaian dance movements carry meanings, such as pointing to the sky in Adowa to show faith in God. You practised voice projection, created skits with characters, setting, plot, conflict and dialogue, and studied artistes such as Efua Sutherland and Ama Ata Aidoo. You also learned the steps of appraisal: describe, analyse, interpret and judge.
3. What You Will Learn This Term
- Drawing from observation, memory and imagination.
- Using manual and digital tools for drawing, shading and colouring.
- Printmaking and weaving techniques.
- Tempo: fast and slow music and the events linked to them.
- Ghanaian dance types and the dynamics of rhythm in dance and drama.
- Ghanaian visual artists and art composers.
4. Setting Personal Goals
A goal gives direction. Write two goals for the term, one for visual arts and one for performing arts. Make them specific, such as "I will learn to shade a sphere with five tones" or "I will learn to play a steady rhythm on the atumpan". Review your goals in the middle and at the end of the term.
5. Working Together in Performing Arts
Performing arts depend on teamwork. Drummers must keep the same beat, dancers must move together and actors must respond to each other's lines. At the start of the term, agree with your group on rules for rehearsals: arrive on time, listen to the leader, respect every member's ideas and practise regularly. Good teamwork makes performances strong and enjoyable.
New words
- tempo
- The speed of music.
- appraisal
- Judging the quality of a work.
- goal
- Something you aim to achieve.
- voice projection
- Speaking clearly and loudly enough for an audience.
Summary
- Music review: pitch, the major scale, staff notation and composing.
- Dance and drama review: meaningful movements, skits, appraisal and Ghanaian artistes.
- Setting specific goals helps you make progress during the term.
Class activity: Goal Cards
- Write one visual arts goal and one performing arts goal on a card.
- Share them with a partner.
- Keep the card in your sketchbook to review later.
You need: Pencils, Drawing paper, Printed photographs of Ghanaian stools, Baskets
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The speed of music is called…
- A. tempo
- B. pitch
- C. rhythm
- D. melody
Show answer
Answer: tempoSpeed.2. The pattern of the major scale is…
- A. T T S T T T S
- B. T S T T S T T
- C. S T T S T T T
- D. T T T S T T S
Show answer
Answer: T T S T T T STones and semitones.3. Efua Sutherland was a Ghanaian playwright.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThe Marriage of Anansewa.4. Judging the quality of a work is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: appraisalCriticism.5. Name the four steps of appraisal.
Show answer
Answer: Describe, analyse, interpret, judge.In order.6. Write one specific goal for performing arts and explain why it is specific.
Show answer
Answer: "I will learn to sing the major scale in pitch with hand signs"; it names a clear skill that can be checked.Specific goals.
Homework
- Paste three pictures of Ghanaian artefacts or performances in your sketchbook and label one design feature in each.