Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade R

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Draw using different lines, shapes, and colours.
• Paint a picture using different brushstrokes.
• Clap, sing, and move to music.
• Name three musical instruments and their sounds.
• Describe your artwork using simple words.

Lesson summary

This week, we're diving into the wonderful world of creative arts! We will be exploring drawing, painting, and music. These activities are important because they help us express ourselves, develop our imagination, and improve our fine motor skills. In South Africa, art and music are a vital part of our diverse culture. From the vibrant colours of Ndebele art to the rhythmic beats of traditional Zulu music, creativity is all around us. Engaging with art and music helps us connect with our heritage, understand different perspectives, and celebrate our unique identity. This week’s focus builds on the basics introduced previously and encourages more complex and imaginative expressions.

Lesson notes

Drawing: Drawing is using tools like crayons, pencils, or markers to create images on paper. This week, we focus on using a variety of lines (straight, curved, zig-zag) and shapes (circles, squares, triangles) to represent objects. We can also experiment with different colours to add detail and personality to our drawings. Remember there are no wrong ways to draw!

Example: Imagine you want to draw your house. Start with a large square for the main part of the house. Add a triangle on top for the roof. Use smaller squares or rectangles for the windows and a rectangle for the door. Now, use your crayons to colour the walls, roof, windows, and door. You can even draw a pathway leading to your house! Think about what colours you would see on a real house in your community!

Painting: Painting involves using brushes and paint to create images on a surface like paper or cardboard. This week, we'll focus on exploring different brushstrokes. Using short, quick strokes can create a bumpy or textured effect. Using long, smooth strokes can create a flowing or soft effect. Mixing colours is also an exciting part of painting!

Example: Let's paint a South African flag! You'll need different colours of paint (red, green, black, white, yellow, blue). Start by drawing the shape of the flag lightly with a pencil (an upside down Y shape with rectangles). Then, carefully paint each section with the correct colour. Experiment with different brushstrokes. For example, you can use short, choppy strokes for the green area to make it look like grass. Remember to rinse your brush between colours to keep them clean!

Music: Music is made up of sounds and rhythms. We can create music by singing, clapping, tapping, or playing musical instruments. This week, we will learn about different musical instruments and how they sound. We will also practice moving our bodies to the rhythm of a song.

Example: Let's listen to a song called "Shosholoza". Listen carefully to the rhythm and try to clap along. Can you hear the different instruments in the song? Perhaps a drum, a guitar, or voices singing together? Now, stand up and move your body to the music. You can stomp your feet, wave your arms, or dance around!

Musical Instruments: Instruments can be stringed (like a guitar or violin), percussion (like a drum or xylophone), or wind instruments (like a flute or trumpet). Stringed instruments make sounds when you pluck or strum the strings. Percussion instruments make sounds when you hit or shake them. Wind instruments make sounds when you blow air into them. In South Africa, we have many unique instruments, like the Marimba (a type of xylophone) and the Uhadi (a stringed bow instrument). Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Draw a picture of your favourite animal. Use at least three different shapes and three different colours.

Solution: Learners should draw their favourite animal, for example, a lion.

Shapes might include: a circle for the head, ovals for the legs, a triangle for the nose.

Colours might include: yellow for the body, brown for the mane, black for the nose and eyes.

Commentary: This encourages learners to combine shapes and colours to represent a familiar object. Ensure the shape combinations are recognisable, even if somewhat abstract.

Question 2: Paint a picture of a rainbow. Use different brushstrokes for each colour of the rainbow.

Solution: Learners should paint a rainbow with the colours red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. They can use short, choppy strokes for the red, long, smooth strokes for the orange, dabbing motions for the yellow, etc.

Commentary: This exercise encourages experimentation with brushstrokes and colour, helping to develop fine motor control and creativity.

Question 3: Listen to a short song. Clap along to the beat. Then, draw a picture of what the music makes you feel like.

Solution: Play a short, upbeat song. Learners clap along. Learners then draw a picture. If the song makes them feel happy, they might draw smiling faces and bright colours. If the song makes them feel calm, they might draw peaceful scenes with soft colours.

Commentary: This links music to emotions and encourages learners to express their feelings through art.

Question 4: Name three musical instruments that you know. What kind of sound does each instrument make?

Solution: Possible answers include: Drum (makes a beating sound), Guitar (makes a strumming sound), Marimba (makes a tinkling sound).

Commentary: This reinforces the understanding of musical instruments and their sounds. Independent Practice (Questions Only) Draw a picture of your family. Include everyone in your family and use different colours to represent their clothing. Paint a picture of your favourite fruit. Use different shades of the same colour to create depth and texture. (e.g., different shades of red for an apple). Listen to a traditional South African song. Can you identify any of the instruments being played?