Grade 2 Life Skills – Exploring Shapes and Colours in Creative Arts

Lesson Plan Title: Grade 2 Life Skills – Exploring Shapes and Colours in Creative Arts


2. Materials Needed

  • A3-sized white drawing paper
  • Crayons, coloured pencils, and markers
  • Various pre-cut shapes in different colours (circles, squares, triangles, rectangles)
  • Glue sticks
  • Scissors
  • Colour wheel poster
  • Shape stencils
  • Pre-designed worksheets featuring different shapes and colour patterns

3. Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
– Identify and name basic geometric shapes: circle, triangle, square, and rectangle.
– Recognize and name primary and secondary colours.
– Create a piece of artwork using various shapes and colours.
– Understand the role of shapes and colours in conveying emotions and ideas in art.


4. Vocabulary

  • Shapes: Circle, Triangle, Square, Rectangle
  • Colours: Primary colours (Red, Blue, Yellow), Secondary colours (Green, Orange, Purple)
  • Art: Design, Pattern, Colour wheel

5. Previous Learning

Learners should have a basic understanding of different shapes and colours from Grade 1.


6. Anticipated Challenges and Solutions

  • Challenge: Some learners may struggle with cutting shapes using scissors.
    • Solution: Provide more pre-cut shapes or assist learners individually.
  • Challenge: Mixing up primary and secondary colours.
    • Solution: Use visual aids like a colour wheel and hands-on activities for reinforcement.

7. Beginning Activities (10% of time)

Activity 1: Introduction and Discussion (6 minutes)
1. Greeting and Warm-Up: Welcome the class and briefly revisit primary shapes and colours using real-life objects around the classroom.
2. Discussion: Engage learners in a discussion about how they see shapes and colours in their environment – clothes, nature, buildings, etc.

Activity 2: Visual Aid Presentation (4 minutes)
1. Present a colour wheel poster to introduce primary and secondary colours.
2. Show examples of different shapes and ask learners to identify them aloud.


8. Middle Activities (80% of time)

Activity 3: Shape and Colour Exploration (30 minutes)
1. Shape Sorting and Identification (10 minutes):
– Distribute pre-cut shapes.
– Ask learners to sort them into groups and identify them.
2. Colour Recognition (20 minutes):
– Use crayons and markers to colour different shapes on a provided worksheet according to instructions (e.g., colour all circles red).

Activity 4: Creative Art Project (40 minutes)
1. Designing a Pattern/Artwork (20 minutes):
– Provide each learner with a blank A3 paper and pre-cut shapes.
– Encourage learners to create a pattern or picture using shapes. They can colour the shapes or use the coloured ones provided.
2. Composition and Glueing (10 minutes):
– Learners should arrange the shapes on their paper and glue them down.
– Allow some time for learners to share their work with a partner, explaining their colour choices and design.
3. Reflection and Group Work (10 minutes):
– Put learners into small groups to discuss the shapes and colours in their artwork, emphasizing how certain colours or shapes make them feel.


9. End Activities (10% of time)

Activity 6: Wrap-Up and Recap (10 minutes)
1. Class Discussion:
– Recap the lesson by asking learners what shapes and colours they used and why.
2. Q&A Session:
– Allow learners to ask any questions about shapes and colours.
3. Homework Assignment:
– Provide a simple homework task: draw something at home using at least three different shapes and colours learned today.


10. Assessment and Checks for Understanding

  • Formative Assessment:
    • Observe learners during activities for correct identification and usage of shapes and colours.
    • Use questioning during group discussions to gauge understanding.
  • Summative Assessment:
    • Evaluate the completed artwork for correct use of shapes and colours.
    • Collect the worksheets where shapes have been coloured according to instructions.

11. Differentiation Strategies

  • For learners who need more support:
    • Provide additional visual aids and spend extra one-on-one time during activities.
    • Simplify instructions and provide more pre-cut shapes.
  • For advanced learners:
    • Challenge them to create more complex designs.
    • Encourage them to explain the emotions or stories conveyed through their use of shapes and colours.

12. Teaching Notes

  • Ensure all materials are prepared in advance and arranged systematically for easy distribution and collection.
  • Be mindful of learners with fine motor skill difficulties and provide suitable support.
  • Have extra shapes and materials on hand in case some learners need replacements or additional items.
  • Maintain a balance of individual and group work to foster both independence and collaboration.

This lesson plan aligns with the CAPS curriculum by comprehensively covering the necessary skills in a creative and engaging manner, ensuring both educational value and enjoyment for Grade 2 learners.

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