Paper Craft Making and Decorations.
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Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Class: Primary 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Theme: Arts And Crafts
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Watch on YouTubeSee Facebook postPupils should be able to: identify crafts made from paper. state uses of paper craft. draw basic shapes of paper craft, make paper crafts.
Paper Craft: This refers to the art of creating objects and designs using paper or cardboard. It involves cutting, folding, gluing, rolling, shaping, and decorating paper to produce various items. Paper is a versatile and inexpensive material, making it accessible for craft activities.
Types of Paper for Craft Making: Plain Paper: White or colored sheets, typically A4 size, commonly found in homes and schools.
Newspapers/Magazines: Old newspapers and colourful magazine pages can be cut, rolled, or folded to create textured and patterned crafts. This also promotes recycling.
Cardboard: Thicker paper material, often found in old cartons (e.g., cereal boxes, shoeboxes). It is sturdier and suitable for making objects that need to stand firm.
Construction Paper: Thicker, coloured paper specifically designed for crafts, usually available in various colours.
Basic Tools for Paper Craft: Scissors: Used for cutting paper into desired shapes and sizes. Pupils should be supervised when using scissors.
Glue/PVA (White)
Glue: Used to stick pieces of paper together.
Pencil: For drawing outlines, shapes, or marking cutting lines on paper.
Ruler: For drawing straight lines and measuring.
Crayons/Markers/Coloured Pencils: For decorating and adding colour to the crafts.
Basic Shapes in Paper Craft: Many paper crafts are built using fundamental geometric shapes. Pupils need to recognize and be able to draw these: Circle: A round shape with no corners.
Examples: Paper plates, bases for paper flowers, round decorations.
Square: A shape with four equal sides and four right angles.
Examples: Bases for boxes, windows on paper houses.
Triangle: A shape with three sides and three corners.
Examples: Roofs of paper houses, parts of paper boats, flags.
Rectangle: A shape with four sides, where opposite sides are equal and all angles are right angles.
Examples: Main body of paper houses, strips for paper chains, bookmarks.
Uses of Paper Crafts: Decoration: To beautify homes, classrooms, or events (e.g., paper chains for festive seasons like Christmas or Eid, paper flowers for birthday parties).
Gifts: Small, handmade paper crafts like greeting cards or small decorative items can be given as thoughtful gifts.
Toys/Playthings: Simple paper toys like paper planes, paper boats, or paper puppets provide entertainment.
Learning Aids: Teachers can use paper crafts to create visual aids for lessons (e.g., paper cut-outs of animals or fruits).
Costumes/Props: For school plays or cultural displays, simple paper hats, masks, or props can be made. Step-by-step
Example: Making a Simple Paper Chain A paper chain is an excellent introductory craft that involves cutting, gluing, and understanding repetition.
Materials: Coloured paper (e.g., red, green, blue), scissors, glue.
Step 1 (Cutting Strips): Using a ruler and pencil, mark several strips of paper, each about 2 cm wide and 15 cm long. Cut these strips carefully. (This involves recognizing and creating rectangular shapes).
Step 2 (Forming the First Link): Take one strip. Apply a small amount of glue to one end. Bring the other end around to meet the glued end, forming a circle (a 'link'). Press firmly to secure.
Step 3 (Adding Subsequent Links): Take another strip. Thread it through the first paper link. Apply glue to one end of the second strip and join it to form another circle, linking it with the first.
Step 4 (Repeat): Continue adding strips, linking them one after the other, until the desired length of the chain is achieved.
Decoration: The finished paper chain can be hung as a decoration for special occasions. Introduction (10 minutes) The teacher displays various examples of simple paper crafts (e.g., a paper fan, a paper hat, a paper chain, a paper boat, a simple paper flower). The teacher asks pupils to observe the crafts and identify what material was used to make them. The teacher asks, "What can we do with these paper crafts?" (Guiding towards uses like decoration, play, gifts).
Development: Exploration and Explanation (15 minutes) The teacher leads a discussion on different types of paper suitable for crafts, showing examples (plain paper, newspaper, cardboard). The teacher introduces and demonstrates the basic tools used for paper craft (scissors, glue, pencil, ruler). Emphasize safe handling of scissors. The teacher draws and names the basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) on the board, asking pupils to identify them and suggest where they might see these shapes in paper crafts.
Development: Teacher Demonstration and Guided Practice (20 minutes) The teacher demonstrates how to make a simple paper craft, such as a paper fan or a paper chain, step-by-step, explaining each action clearly.
For a paper fan:* The teacher takes a rectangular piece of paper, folds it accordion-style (back and forth), and then glues or staples one end to form the handle.
For a paper chain:* The teacher demonstrates cutting strips, forming a link, and joining subsequent links as described in the "Key Concepts" section. Pupils are encouraged to follow along with the teacher's instructions using their own materials (if readily available, otherwise, they observe closely). The teacher moves around the classroom, providing assistance and correcting techniques.
Application: Independent Practice (30 minutes) Pupils are given materials (e.g., plain paper, old newspapers/magazines, scissors, glue, pencils) and instructed to make their own simple paper craft, focusing on either a paper chain or a paper fan, or another simple craft demonstrated. The teacher circulates, offering support, encouragement, and guidance. Emphasis is placed on careful cutting, neat gluing, and following steps. Conclusion (5 minutes) Pupils display their finished paper crafts. The teacher asks pupils to name the craft they made and one way it can be used. The teacher reiterates the importance of paper crafts for creativity, decoration, and resourcefulness. The teacher will guide pupils through these questions and activities, providing immediate feedback and corrections.
Question 1: Look at the pictures below. Which of them are made from paper? (Teacher shows or draws simple pictures: a wooden chair, a plastic bottle, a paper boat, a cloth bag, a paper flower.)
Solution: The paper boat and the paper flower are made from paper.
Commentary: This question directly assesses the ability to identify crafts made from paper, aligning with Performance Objective
1. Question 2: State one use of a paper craft you know.
Solution: (Accept any reasonable answer, e.g.) Paper crafts can be used for decoration. They can be used as toys. They can be given as gifts. They can be used to make cards.
Commentary: This question checks understanding of the practical applications of paper crafts, aligning with Performance Objective
2. Question 3: Draw two basic shapes that you can use to make paper crafts.
Solution: Pupils should draw any two of the following: a circle, a square, a triangle, a rectangle.
Commentary: This assesses the ability to draw basic shapes, a foundational skill for paper crafting, aligning with Performance Objective
3. Question 4: Imagine you want to make a paper chain. a) What is the first thing you need to do with your paper? b) After cutting the paper into strips, what is the next step to form the first link?
Solution: a) The first thing to do is to cut the paper into strips (rectangular shapes). b) To form the first link, you take one strip, apply glue to one end, and join it to the other end to form a circle.
Commentary: This question indirectly assesses the ability to make paper crafts by requiring knowledge of the sequential steps involved in a simple craft, aligning with Performance Objective
4. Differentiation (for learners who need support): Simplified Tasks: Provide learners with pre-cut strips or basic shapes to reduce the cutting complexity. They can focus solely on the gluing and assembly parts of the craft.
Peer Support: Pair struggling learners with more capable peers who can offer gentle guidance and demonstration.
Teacher Guidance: The teacher provides more one-on-one attention, breaking down instructions into even smaller, manageable steps.
Larger Materials: Use larger pieces of paper for crafts, as they are easier for small hands to manipulate. Remediation (for learners who did not grasp the concepts): Reteaching Basic Shapes: Use flashcards or physical cut-outs to re-teach the identification and drawing of basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle). Have them trace shapes before drawing freely.
Repeated Simple Craft: Provide extra practice making the simplest crafts, like a paper chain or a simple fan, multiple times, until they master the sequence of steps.
Visual Aids: Utilize more visual aids, like step-by-step pictorial instructions, for craft making.
Extension (for high-achieving learners): More Complex Crafts: Introduce them to slightly more challenging paper crafts, such as simple origami (e.g., a simple paper boat, a fortune teller), or making 3D shapes from paper nets.
Design Their Own: Challenge them to design a new paper decoration or toy using the basic shapes learned. They could sketch their idea first and then attempt to create it.
Research and Presentation: Encourage them to find out about different types of paper crafts from different cultures (e.g., exploring simple paper-cutting designs used in traditional Nigerian art forms if relevant, or basic Kiri-e/paper cutting from Japan). They can present their findings to the class.
Home and Community Decoration: Pupils can use their paper craft skills to decorate their homes or community spaces for local festivals like Christmas, Eid-el-Fitr, or traditional naming ceremonies. For instance, making colourful paper chains or paper flowers to adorn living rooms or community halls adds a festive touch and involves family participation.
Gift Giving and Entrepreneurship: Encouraging pupils to make handmade greeting cards or small decorative items (e.g., simple paper bookmarks) as gifts for birthdays or special occasions fosters thoughtfulness and resourcefulness. Older pupils (or this skill can be built upon in future grades) might even learn to make and sell simple paper crafts at school fairs or local markets, introducing basic entrepreneurial concepts within the Nigerian context.
Recycling and Environmental Awareness: Using old newspapers, magazines, and cardboard boxes for paper crafts directly teaches pupils about recycling and repurposing waste materials. This helps them understand how to reduce waste and contribute to a cleaner environment, which is particularly relevant in many Nigerian communities grappling with waste management challenges.