Lesson Plan: Grade R Life Skills – Creative art activity

Edited Lesson Plan:

1. Lesson Plan Title: Grade R Life Skills: Discovering Shapes and Colours Through Creative Artwork

2. Materials Required:
– Assorted colourful paper
– Safety scissors
– Child-safe adhesive
– Markers and crayons
– Large chart paper or board

3. Learning Outcomes:
– Recognise primary colours and basic two-dimensional shapes.
– Enhance fine motor skills through cutting, pasting, and colouring techniques.
– Kindle creativity through the composition of an individual piece of artwork.

4. Vocabulary:
– Shapes (circle, square, triangle)
– Colours (red, blue, yellow)
– Cut
– Stick
– Create

5. Recapitulation:
Students have previously engaged with basic shapes and colours.

6. Anticipated Challenges and Mitigation:
– Some learners might need assistance with cutting shapes correctly. Implement one-on-one support and provide pre-cut shapes if necessary to eliminate rush.
– Some learners may find applying glue challenging. Model the glue application process for the learners stressing that occasional mess is part of the Grade R learning journey.

7. Launch Activities (4 minutes):
Introduce the lesson by presenting the available shapes and colours. Involve the learners interactively by asking them to identify the shapes and colours.

8. Core Activities (32 minutes):
– Modelled Instruction (8 minutes): Demonstrate the cutting, sticking, and colouring process to create an art piece.
– Supervised Creative Process (24 minutes): Learners will construct their individual artworks by cutting out shapes, colouring them, and sticking them on their chart paper. Facilitate where necessary while encouraging originality.

9. Closure Activities (4 minutes):
Implement a show-and-tell where learners present their creative artwork to the class and describe their artistic process.

10. Assessment Methods and Understanding Checks:
Assessment is based on engagement and exertion, rather than the final product. Evaluate understanding by requesting learners to point out the shapes and colours used in their art during the show-and-tell.

11. Inclusive Teaching Strategies:
Advanced learners can be prompted to experiment with colour blends or invent unique creations, while those needing extra guidance can be offered pre-cut shapes and individual support.

12. Pedagogical Tips:
Stimulate creativity and avoid dictating any rigid instructions regarding the artwork. Diverse, unique outcomes should be embraced and encouraged. Remember to commend endeavours, and not just successful outcomes.

Cross-curricular and Indigenous Connections:
This lesson integrates aspects of Arts (artistic creation) and Mathematics (knowledge of shapes), promoting cross-curricular learning as suggested by the CAPS curriculum. The lesson presents an opportunity to bring in local South African artistic styles as examples, enhancing indigenous knowledge.

14. Teaching Precautions:
Ensure safety protocols are adhered to during the use of scissors. Ensure proper maintenance of group dynamics during the creative process to promote a conducive learning environment.

Author’s notes:
CAPS curriculum lays emphasis on encouraging creativity while ensuring a sturdy learning process for Grade R, thus making this beautifully integrated Life Skills lesson an ideal fit.