Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Primary 6
Use of Drawing Instruments (Board practice)
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Use of Drawing Instruments (Board practice)
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Subject: Basic Technology
Class: Primary 6
Term: 1st Term
Week: 6
Theme: Understanding Basic Technology
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use drawing in struments draw circles using compasses draw horizontal lines using T - square draw vertical lines.
should be sharp.
4. Draw the Line: Place the pencil point lightly against the upper edge of the T-square blade. Draw the line by moving the pencil from left to right in one continuous, smooth stroke. Maintain consistent pressure for an even line.
Self-correction: Avoid drawing from right to left as this can push lead under the blade and smudge the paper. Always draw away from the T-square head (left to right for right-handers).
Procedure 3: Drawing Vertical Lines using a T-square and a Set Square
1. Position the T-square: Place the T-square on the drawing board as described for horizontal lines. It provides the horizontal reference.
2. Position the Set Square: Place a set square (e.g., the 45° or 30°/60° triangle) firmly on top of the T-square blade. Align one of the set square's vertical edges with the desired position of the vertical line.
3. Hold Firmly: Hold both the T-square and the set square firmly in place with one hand (non-drawing hand) to prevent any movement.
4. Pencil Grip and Draw: Hold the pencil as described in Procedure
2. Place the pencil point against the vertical edge of the set square. Draw the line by moving the pencil upwards from bottom to top in a smooth, continuous stroke.
Self-correction: Always draw upwards, away from the T-square and set square, to prevent lead smudging and ensure a clean line.
Procedure 4: Drawing Circles using Compasses
1. Sharpen Pencil Lead (if applicable): Ensure the pencil lead in the compass is sharp. For technical drawing, it should be slightly shorter than the compass needle point when extended, to prevent the needle point from tearing the paper.
2. Set the Radius: Open the compass legs to the desired radius. This can be done by using a ruler to measure the distance between the needle point and the pencil point. For instance, for a 5cm radius, ensure the distance is exactly 5cm.
3. Position the Compass: Place the needle point firmly on the exact center (pivot point) where the circle is to be drawn. Apply light but firm pressure to prevent the needle from slipping.
4. Draw the Circle: Hold the compass firmly by the top knuckle (handle) with one hand. Lean the compass slightly in the direction of rotation. Rotate the compass in a clockwise direction, applying gentle, consistent pressure, to draw a continuous circle.
Self-correction:* Avoid gripping the legs of the compass, as this can change the radius. Ensure the needle point does not lift or shift during rotation. For larger circles, adjust the grip to allow full rotation.
Relevance to Nigerian Context: These skills are foundational. For instance, a local carpenter planning a stool might mentally use these principles to ensure the legs are vertical and the seat is circular. A tailor designing a traditional attire would use similar geometric principles for necklines (circles/arcs) and hemlines (horizontal/vertical cuts). An engineer designing a bore-hole platform will need to ensure perfect horizontal and vertical lines for stability. This section outlines the essential drawing instruments and the step-by-step procedures for their correct usage in technical drawing. The emphasis is on precision, proper grip, and the mechanics of each tool.
A. Essential Drawing Instruments for Board Practice:
1. Drawing Board: A flat, smooth, and stable surface, typically made of wood or plastic, used to secure drawing paper. Its edge serves as a guide for the T-square.
Purpose: Provides a stable base and a straight reference edge for drawing.
2. Drawing Paper: Clean, white paper, often cartridge paper, suitable for pencil drawing.
Purpose: The medium on which drawings are created.
3. T-square: An instrument consisting of a "head" (stock) and a "blade." The head slides along the edge of the drawing board, ensuring the blade remains perpendicular to that edge, thus producing parallel horizontal lines.
Purpose: To draw horizontal lines and to serve as a base for set squares to draw vertical or inclined lines.
4. Set Squares (Triangles): Triangular instruments, typically 30°/60° and 45°/45°, used in conjunction with the T-square to draw vertical and inclined lines. For this lesson, the primary use will be for vertical lines.
Purpose: To draw lines at specific angles, particularly 90° (vertical) when resting on a T-square.
5. Compasses: A drawing instrument with two legs, one ending in a needle point and the other holding a pencil lead.
Purpose: To draw circles and arcs of various radii.
6. Pencils: Technical drawing often uses pencils of varying hardness. For Primary 6, HB (medium hard) and 2H (harder, for lighter lines) are suitable. The lead should be sharpened to a conical point for fine lines.
Purpose: To draw lines. Harder leads (H, 2H) produce lighter, finer lines; softer leads (B, 2B) produce darker, thicker lines.
7. Eraser: A soft, clean rubber for correcting errors without smudging.
Purpose: To remove unwanted lines or mistakes.
8. Masking Tape/Drawing Clips: Used to secure the drawing paper firmly to the drawing board.
Purpose: To prevent the paper from shifting during drawing, ensuring accuracy.
B. Step-by-Step Procedures for Using Drawing Instruments: Procedure 1: Setting up the Drawing Board and Paper
1. Cleanliness: Ensure the drawing board, T-square, and instruments are clean. Dirt can smudge the paper.
2. Paper Placement: Place the drawing paper on the drawing board. Position it slightly below the top edge and to the right of the left edge (or as preferred for comfort, leaving space for the T-square head).
3. Alignment with T-square: Place the T-square's head firmly against the left edge of the drawing board. Slide the T-square up until its blade slightly overlaps the top edge of the drawing paper. Adjust the paper until its top edge is perfectly aligned with the top edge of the T-square's blade. This ensures the paper is square with the board.
4. Securing the Paper: Once aligned, carefully secure the corners of the drawing paper with masking tape or drawing clips. Press firmly to ensure the paper lies flat and will not shift.
Procedure 2: Drawing Horizontal Lines using a T-square
1. Position the T-square: Hold the T-square's head firmly against the left edge of the drawing board with one hand (typically the non-drawing hand).
2. Slide the T-square: Slide the T-square up or down to the desired position where the horizontal line is to be drawn. Ensure the head remains snug against the board's edge.
3. Pencil Grip: Hold the drawing pencil (e.g., HB) with a firm but relaxed grip, leaning it slightly forward (approximately 60° to the paper) and slightly angled away from the T-square blade. The pencil lead should be sharp.
4. Draw the Line: Place the pencil point lightly against the upper edge of the T-square blade. Draw the line by moving the pencil from left to right in one continuous, smooth stroke. Maintain consistent pressure for an even line.
Self-correction: Avoid drawing from right to left as this can push lead under the blade and smudge the paper. Always draw away from the T-square head (left to right for right-handers).
Procedure 3: Drawing Vertical Lines using a T-square and a Set Square
1. Position the T-square: Place Materials: Drawing boards, T-squares, set squares (30/60 and 45 degrees), compasses, HB pencils, erasers, masking tape, drawing paper, whiteboard/chalkboard, ruler. (If individual sets are unavailable, demonstrations and shared practice are essential).
A. Teacher Activities: Introduction and Review (10 minutes): Briefly review the names and functions of basic drawing instruments learned in the previous week (Drawing Board, T-square, Set squares, Compasses, Pencils, Eraser). Explain the importance of accuracy and neatness in technical drawing. Introduce "Board Practice" as the hands-on application of these instruments.
Demonstration: Setting up the Drawing Board and Paper (10 minutes): Using a large drawing board (or mock-up on a chalkboard/whiteboard), demonstrate clearly how to place and align the drawing paper using the T-square. Show how to secure the paper firmly with masking tape. Emphasize ensuring the paper is 'square' with the T-square.
Demonstration: Drawing Horizontal Lines (10 minutes): Demonstrate the correct way to hold the T-square firmly against the drawing board's edge. Show proper pencil grip and angle for drawing lines. Demonstrate drawing a horizontal line from left to right with consistent pressure and a single stroke. Draw several parallel horizontal lines to show consistency.
Demonstration: Drawing Vertical Lines (10 minutes): Show how to position the T-square. Demonstrate how to place a set square on the T-square blade to draw a vertical line. Emphasize holding both instruments firmly. Demonstrate drawing a vertical line upwards from bottom to top. Draw several parallel vertical lines.
Demonstration: Drawing Circles with Compasses (10 minutes): Demonstrate how to set the compass radius using a ruler. Show how to place the needle point accurately on a center point. Demonstrate the correct way to hold the compass (by the handle) and rotate it clockwise for a smooth circle. Draw circles of varying radii.
Guided Practice Setup (5 minutes): Instruct students to get ready with their instruments. Provide clear instructions for the first guided practice task (e.g., "First, everyone set up your paper as demonstrated."). Supervision and Individual Correction (Ongoing): Circulate around the classroom, observing students' techniques. Provide individual feedback, correct improper grips, instrument positioning, and drawing strokes. Address common errors immediately (e.g., smudging, uneven lines, slipping compasses).
B. Student Activities: Observation and Questioning (During Demonstrations): Students actively observe each demonstration by the teacher. Students ask clarifying questions about the procedures. Setting up the Drawing Board and Paper (Practical): Students set up their drawing paper on their drawing boards, aligning it with their T-squares and securing it with tape.
Practice: Drawing Horizontal Lines (Practical): Students practice drawing multiple horizontal lines across their drawing paper using the T-square. They attempt to make lines of consistent length, thickness, and parallelism.
Practice: Drawing Vertical Lines (Practical): Students practice drawing multiple vertical lines using the T-square and a set square. They focus on achieving straight, parallel vertical lines.
Practice: Drawing Circles (Practical): Students practice drawing circles of different radii (e.g., 3cm, 5cm) at various points on their paper using the compass. They focus on making smooth, continuous circles without shifting the center point.
Combined Practice: Students combine horizontal and vertical lines to draw simple shapes like squares or rectangles.
Seek Clarification: Students ask for help or clarification when they encounter difficulties.
Line: Place a set square on the T-square. Align its vertical edge with the left end of your 8 cm horizontal line. Draw a 5 cm vertical line upwards from this point. This is the left side.
4. Second Vertical Line: Slide the set square along the T-square until its vertical edge aligns with the right end of the 8 cm horizontal line. Draw another 5 cm vertical line upwards from this point. This is the right side.
5. Second Horizontal Line: Slide the T-square up until its blade connects the top ends of the two 5 cm vertical lines. Draw an 8 cm horizontal line to complete the top side of the rectangle. *
Commentary:** This combines all skills. Check for right angles at the corners and accurate lengths. This exercise is similar to drawing a simple plot or a foundation outline for a small structure common in Nigerian communities.
The skills acquired in this lesson are foundational for many practical applications in Nigeria, linking directly to various trades and professions.
Architectural and Building Design: The ability to draw accurate horizontal and vertical lines and circles is fundamental for creating blueprints and construction plans for homes, schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings. For example, a local builder might use these skills to draw a simple floor plan for a three-bedroom bungalow or sketch a layout for a market stall, ensuring walls are straight and windows are correctly positioned.
Furniture and Carpentry: Carpenters and furniture makers in Nigeria rely on precise measurements and accurate straight lines to cut wood and assemble pieces. Learning to draw horizontal and vertical lines helps in designing components like table legs, cabinet frames, or shelves. Drawing circles is useful for designing round tables, stool seats, or decorative elements.
Tailoring and Fashion Design: Tailors, especially those who create patterns for traditional Nigerian attire or Western wear, frequently use these geometric principles. Drawing horizontal lines ensures hemlines are even, vertical lines guide the cut of sleeves or trousers, and circles are used for necklines, armholes, or decorative appliqués on fabric. Understanding how to use these instruments helps in accurately transferring designs to fabric.