Basic 8 · Creative Arts and Design · Term Revision
Term Revision in Creative Arts and Design
In this topic you will recall and summarise the term's work in design, visual arts and performing arts, and practise answering end-of-term questions.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Recall the key ideas in design and visual arts
- Recall the key ideas in performing arts
- Answer end-of-term questions accurately
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
This term you explored new tools, techniques and artists. Revision links these ideas so you can use them confidently.
1. Key Ideas in Design and Visual Arts
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| tools | manual: pencils, charcoal, pastels, paints; digital: tablet, stylus, drawing apps with layers |
| drawing | observation, memory and imagination; freehand and outline drawing |
| colour | flat colour, layering, blending, gradation, washes; tints, shades, harmony |
| designs | lines, shapes and forms; motifs; abstraction; patterns |
| weaving | warp and weft; plain, basket and twill weaves; kente and baskets |
| printmaking | relief, stencil, screen, mono and block printing |
| models | templates and nets for cubes, cuboids and pyramids |
| artworks | different times and cultures; topical issues; artist's statement |
| Ghanaian artists | Kofi Antubam, Amon Kotei, Vincent Kofi, Ablade Glover, El Anatsui |
2. Practical Review
Each learner chooses one Ghanaian artefact from the photographs and makes a quick observational sketch, labelling one design feature. Then add colour using one technique learned this term. Groups display their work and explain the techniques used.
3. Linking the Topics
The design process links all visual arts topics: generate ideas, research, plan, produce, evaluate and display. Whether you are printing a cloth, weaving a mat, drawing digitally or making a model, you follow similar steps and use the same elements and principles of design.
4. Revision Methods
- Make flash cards with a term on one side, such as "abstraction", and its meaning on the other.
- Practise drawing a calabash from observation and from memory.
- Make a small print using a potato or yam stamp at home.
- Draw nets for a cube and a pyramid.
- Write short profiles of two Ghanaian visual artists.
Using several methods keeps revision interesting and helps you remember both the theory and the practical skills.
5. Self-Check Questions
Can you name three manual and two digital tools? Can you explain the difference between observation, memory and imaginative drawing? Can you describe how to make a relief print and a paper weaving? Can you name two Ghanaian visual artists and their works? If not, revise those topics again.
New words
- revision
- Studying again what has been learned.
- technique
- A method of doing something.
- medium
- The material used to make art.
- mind map
- A diagram linking ideas.
Summary
- Tools include manual and digital media for drawing, shading and colouring.
- Techniques include drawing from observation, memory and imagination, colouring, weaving, printmaking and modelling.
- Ghanaian visual artists show how art reflects history, culture and issues.
Class activity: Practical Review
- Sketch a Ghanaian artefact and label one design feature.
- Add colour using a technique from this term.
- Display and explain your work.
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 a digital drawing tool?
- A. stylus
- B. charcoal
- C. crayon
- D. pastel
Show answer
Answer: stylusDigital.2. Over-one, under-one weaving is…
- A. plain weave
- B. twill
- C. basket weave
- D. coiling
Show answer
Answer: plain weaveSimple weave.3. A net folds into a 3D model.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueModels.4. Adding black to a colour makes a ______.
Show answer
Answer: shadeDarker.5. Name three printmaking techniques.
Show answer
Answer: Relief, stencil, screen (or mono, block).Any three.6. Explain how the design process links different visual arts activities.
Show answer
Answer: All activities follow similar steps of generating ideas, planning, producing, evaluating and displaying.Process.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
Music, dance and drama were full of rhythm and expression this term. Let us review them and practise examination questions.
1. Key Ideas in Performing Arts
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| tempo | largo, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, presto; accelerando, ritardando |
| tempo and events | slow for funerals and lullabies; fast for festivals and parties |
| dance types | ceremonial, funeral, ritual, recreational, war, harvest; context matters |
| elements of dance | action, space, time, energy (dynamics), relationship |
| dance-drama | socio-cultural issues, message, characters, plot, songs |
| musical genres | Adowa, Agbadza, Kpanlogo, Bamaya, highlife, hiplife |
| displays | programme, cast, narrator, stage manager, rehearsal |
| appraisal | criteria; honest, specific and kind feedback |
| composers | Ephraim Amu, J. H. Kwabena Nketia, N. Z. Nayo |
2. Sample Questions
Practice question 1
Explain three Italian tempo terms.
- Largo: very slow and broad.
- Andante: at a walking pace.
- Allegro: fast and lively.
Answer: Largo, andante and allegro explained.
Practice question 2
Describe two Ghanaian dances and their contexts.
- Kete: a royal dance of Asante, performed at royal occasions.
- Kpanlogo: a recreational dance of the Ga, performed at parties and celebrations.
Answer: Two dances with their contexts.
3. Examination Tips
Read questions carefully, use correct terms such as "tempo", "dynamics" and "context", and give Ghanaian examples. For practical questions, describe steps clearly. Draw simple diagrams where helpful, such as a stage plan.
4. Self-Check Questions
Can you arrange five Italian tempo terms from slowest to fastest? Can you name four types of Ghanaian dance with examples and contexts? Can you list the five elements of dance? Can you explain how Ghanaian art composers reflect culture in their music? Test yourself and revise any topic you find difficult.
5. Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse tempo with dynamics, mix up accelerando and ritardando, and forget to give contexts when naming dances. Others describe a performance without judging it when asked to appraise. Read questions carefully and use the correct terms to avoid these mistakes.
6. Linking Performing Arts Topics
The performing arts topics are closely linked. Tempo and dynamics shape both music and dance. Dance types and musical genres come from the same cultures and contexts. Dance-drama brings music, movement and acting together, and appraisal helps improve all of them. Seeing these links helps you answer questions that ask you to explain or compare.
New words
- dynamics
- The energy or quality of movement or sound.
- context
- The occasion and purpose of a performance.
- genre
- A category of music.
- model answer
- A complete, correct example answer.
Summary
- Tempo terms describe speed, and tempo matches the mood of events.
- Ghanaian dances belong to contexts, and the elements of dance shape performance.
- Displays, appraisal and the study of composers complete the performing arts strand.
Class activity: Revision Quiz
- Answer ten questions on all the term's topics.
- Mark using model answers.
- Correct 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. "Presto" means…
- A. very fast
- B. very slow
- C. walking pace
- D. moderate
Show answer
Answer: very fastTempo.2. Which is an element of dance?
- A. space
- B. canvas
- C. stencil
- D. warp
Show answer
Answer: spaceDance element.3. Kete is a royal dance.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueAsante.4. Gradually getting slower is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: ritardandoSlowing.5. Name three Ghanaian musical genres.
Show answer
Answer: Adowa, Kpanlogo, highlife (or Agbadza, Bamaya, hiplife).Any three.6. Explain why tempo should match the event.
Show answer
Answer: Tempo creates mood, so slow music suits solemn events and fast music suits celebrations.Mood and occasion.
Homework
- Make a revision sheet for the performing arts topics with examples.