EXPRESSIVE ARTS NOTES

FOR STANDARD 6

BY ZIKOMO MASESE BANDA

Written by Zikomo Masese Banda
Table of contents
UNIT PAGE

Unit 1 Body coordination and activities 3

Unit 2 Rhythmic activities 4

Unit 3 Self expression 5

Unit 4 Improving the quality of everyday life 7

Unit 5 Creativity 10

Unit 6 Artistic skills 11

Unit 7 Means of communication 18

Unit 8 Outdoor activities 22

Unit 9 Interpretation of artworks 23

Unit 10 Artistic performance 25

Unit 11 Decorative artworks 27

Unit 12 Home making 31

References 34

First Edition: January, 2018

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UNIT 1 BODY COORDINATION ACTIVITIES (Written by Zikomo Masese Banda)

Coordination of body parts is important because it prevents falls and injuries.

ACTIVITIES FOR ENHANCING COORDINATION

 flexibility exercises
 dancing
 jogging
 swimming
 walking
 running

IMPORTANCE OF DANCING
 strengthening muscles
 strengthening bones
 enhancing creativity of the mind
 promoting coordination of body parts
 preventing unnecessary body injuries
 helping in holistic growth and development
 promoting a good health life

TRADITIONAL DANCES
Traditional dances are dances that are performed by members of the community.

NB: The word ""traditional" suggests originality.

OCCASIONS WHEN DANCES ARE PERFORMED

 weddings
 funerals
 initiation ceremonies
 installation of chiefs
 political gatherings
 festivals

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BENEFITS (IMPORTANCE) OF TRADITIONAL DANCES
 identity
 unifying people
 entertainment

TRADITIONAL DANCES AND THEIR ORIGINS

Dance District of origin

Likhuba Nsanje

Utse Nsanje

Mganda Dowa

Msindo Ntcheu

Ingoma Mzimba

Vimbuza Chitipa

When these dances are created and performed by the learners, they may be referred to as educational
dances

Educational dances are dances that are created and performed by the learners.

UNIT 2 RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

DEFINITIONS OF THE TERM RHYTHM

Rhythm is grouping of sounds and silences

Or

Rhythm is grouping of actions and pauses

EXAMPLES OF RHYTHMS
 breathing
 heartbeat

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  clock ticking
 walking
 singing
 pounding (e.g maize in a mortar)

IMPORTANCE OF RHYTHMIC PATTERNS (RHYTHM IN DANCE)

 assist in setting uniformity
 assist in setting order

MIRRORING ACTIVITIES
Mirroring activities are activities in which you imitate (follow) a leader.

The main purpose of mirroring is to make the activities easy to learn

EXAMPLES OF MIRRORING ACTIVITIES

 aerobics (majowajowa)
 swimming
 running
 knees up
 body stretching

VALUES OF MIRRORING ACTIVITIES

 promoting discipline
 promoting attention
 promoting unity
 helping in body coordination
 helping in body flexibility

UNIT 3 SELF EXPRESSION

People use various ways to express and communicate feelings and ideas.

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WAYS OF EXPRESSING AND COMMUNICATING FEELINGS AND IDEAS
- language
- gestures
- writing
- use of artworks
- performances

CATEGORIES (FORMS) OF COMMUNICATION AND EXPRESSION

- verbal communication
- non-verbal communication

Verbal communication is usually through language which is culture specific.

Both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication are learned informally during early childhood.

Some forms of non-verbal communication convey different messages in different societies.

For example, shaking the head in Malawi may show disapproval where as in India shaking the head in
the same way may show approval.

VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL FORMS OF ARTWORK

Verbal communication is communication which uses words

Non-verbal communication is communication which does not use words (communication is through
signs and gestures)

ARTWORKS WHICH CAN BE USED TO EXPRESS AND COMMUNICATE FEELINGS, IDEAS AND CONCEPTS
- songs
- drama
- martial arts
- drawings
- posters

The spoken words are the verbal part while gestures are non-verbal forms of artworks.

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Drawings and posters are purely non-verbal forms of communication.

Songs, drama and martial arts can be used as both verbal and non-verbal forms of artworks.

IMPORTANCE (EFFECTIVENESS) OF USING VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL FORMS OF COMMUNICATING

AND EXPRESSING
Ideas which are difficult to be understood when just said are clarified through gestures, demonstrations
and other activities.

THE ADVANTAGES OF USING ARTWORK

- some feelings, ideas and concepts can be well understood
- ideas are clarified
- some concepts can be communicated effectively
- some concepts, ideas and feelings can be communicated efficiently

THE DISADVANTAGES OF USING ARTWORK

- some feelings, ideas and concepts are difficult to communicate through artwork
- communication by artwork can be misconstrued (misinterpreted)

UNIT 4 IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EVERYDAY LIFE

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
Everyday life is meaningful to individuals, families and communities if efforts are made to improve its
quality. A bathing shelter and sun tables are some of the provisions

WAYS OF MAKING A PERSON'S LIFE BETTER

- eating balanced meals
- regular physical exercises
- having enough rest
- bathing regularly
- keeping home surroundings clean

CONSTRUCTING A BATH SHELTER

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MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTING A BATH SHELTER
- 9 straight poles 2.5 metres long
- 3 long bamboos cut into strips
- adequate grass
- sisal or bark straps for tying
- 1 hoe
- adequate crushed stones
- meter rulers

PROCEDURE FOR CONSTRUCTING A BATH SHELTER

- measure the position of the bath shelter (2m x 1.5m)
- mark out positions for positioning poles
- dig holes one foot deep and fit in the poles firmly
- fix three rows of bamboos strips using sisal
- place grass and work round the frame using remaining bamboo strips and sisal to hold the grass
in the middle
- level the inner bathing areas with crushed stones
- make a small drain leading away from the bath shelter

CONSTRUCTING A SUN TABLE

MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTING A SUN TABLE

- 4 Y-shaped strong poles 1.5 meters long
- sisal strings
- 20 straight 1 metre long sticks
- 2 (1.7 metre) long sticks
- adequate medium sized stones

PROCEDURE FOR CONSTRUCTING A SUN TABLE

- identify a flat area and measure the position of the sun table 1 x 1.5m
- measure a 0.75 and 0.5 metre area inside the first area
- dig out this space 5cm deep
- dig out holes 25cm deep on the four corners of the outer stretch
- place Y-shaped poles in the holes. Make sure that the Ys face each other. Fill the holes firmly
- place one 1.7 meter stick in the Y-shaped poles facing each other
- place the 1 metre sticks over the two bars

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 - tie tightly and place closely to the end
- fill the inner hole with stones

SINGING SONGS ON HEALTHY LIVING

It is important to compose songs on healthy living to help improve the quality of life in the community.

THEMES ON HEALTHY LIVING

 prevention of diseases
 eating balanced food
 resting
 hygiene
 environmental protection

CONSERVING THE ENVIRONMENT

The environment is a resource that enhances many artistic activities such as carving, weaving, plaiting,
modelling and construction of bath shelters.

However, the level of environmental degradation has reached an alarming proportion.

People have cut down trees for charcoal production and curio making without replacing them.

In addition some of these artistic activities have resulted into land degradation, air pollution, and water
pollution.

It is important to conserve the environment.

WAYS OF CONSERVING THE ENVIRONMENT

 making flower beds
 planting flowers
 planting tress
 planting lawn
 sweeping the surroundings
 slashing any tall grass
 proper disposing waste (using dustbins and rubbish pits)

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  using pulp and plastine when modelling instead of using clay
 avoiding collecting clay for modelling from the same place

EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

- land degradation
- air pollution
- water pollution

IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING THE ENVIRONMENT

- improves health of people
- adds beauty
- protects the environment

UNIT 5 CREATIVITY

Malawi is experiencing various problems related to HIV and AIDS, gender, child labour, child abuse and
environmental degradation.

These problems are commonly known as cross-cutting issues because they affect a cross section of
people in the society.

Various artistic activities such as songs, dances and drama can be used to pass messages on these cross-
cutting issues.

CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES
Cross-cutting issues are challenges that affect a cross section of people in the society

EXAMPLES OF CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

- HIV and AIDS
- gender
- democracy
- corruption
- child labour and abuse
- environmental degradation
- human rights violations

CAUSES OF CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

- lack of knowledge
- misappropriation of resources
- misuse of natural resources

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 - misuse of human resources
- misuse of financial resources

EFFECTS OF CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

- environmental degradation
- dissatisfaction of one gender
- wide-range poverty
- illiteracy
- violence
- lawlessness and disorderliness in the society

COMPOSING SONGS ON CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

Songs are powerful tools for passing on messages on cross-cutting issues because they both entertain
and educate.

DRAMATISING SCENES ON CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

Dramas are powerful tools for passing on messages on cross-cutting issues because they both entertain
and educate.

DRAWING POSTERS ON CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

Posters are also effective in communicating messages on cross-cutting issues because if well drawn and
put at strategic places, they easily catch the eye of people and they can get the message from the
posters.

IMPORTANCE OF POSTERS IN PLACES (SUCH AS HOSPITALS, ALONG THE ROAD, EDUCATIONAL

INSTITUTIONS AND OFFICES)
- posters can be a quick way of passing important information.
- posters can pass information by using only pictures or drawings
- posters can use few words to pass very important messages
- posters can pass information to even very busy persons when they are pasted(pinned) at
strategic places
- posters can pass information even to uneducated persons
- posters are a cheap way of disseminating information
- posters grip the attention of people to look at them

UNIT 6 ARTISTIC SKILLS

Various activities that we do in our everyday lives require skills.

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Artistic activities like sports, games, making musical instruments, decorating the home, playing musical
instruments and producing artistic items require skills.

VARIOUS SPORTS AND GAMES

- football
- netball
- athletics
- hockey
- relay race
- tennis
- boxing
- wrestling

TWO TYPES OF SPORTS

- Team sports
- individual sports

REASONS WHY SPORTS AND GAMES ARE PLAYED

 for enjoyment
 for fun
 for good health
 for socialization
 for competition

SOME COMMON TEAM SPORTS

 football/soccer
 netball
 basketball
 volleyball
 handball
 hockey

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IMPORTANCE OF TEAM SPORTS
 encourage cooperation
 encourages unity
 encourages team spirit

RELEVANCE OF TEAM SPORTS IN SCHOOLS

 fosters leadership skills

 encourages discipline
 reduces school drop out
 promotes sense of belonging

SOME COMMON INDIVIDUAL SPORTS

 golf
 chess
 table tennis
 swimming

BASIC RULES OF VARIOUS TEAM SPORTS AND GAMES

A) VOLLEYBALL
- The first team to reach 25 points and by at least two points wins the set.
- The ball can be hit up to three times per side (in addition to blocking) before it must go over the
net. A fourth hit is not allowed.
- If two or more teammates contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play. Neither
player, however, may touch the ball again until another teammate touches it.
- A volleyball player can serve underhand or over hand, but can't step over the end line until after
contacting the ball. The serve (or any volleyball hit) can graze the net as it goes over the net.
- The volleyball serve must first be hit by the opposing team with a bump, or underarm pass,
before it can be hit with a set, block or attacking shot.
- A team will rotate one spot in a clockwise manner each time it regains the volleyball serve from
the opposing team.
- The volleyball can be played off the net on a serve or during a volley.

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 - A volleyball player can't reach over the net except on a follow-through or to make a block (and
only after the opponent contacts the ball). A player's body can go under the net as long as it
doesn't interfere with the opposing team.
- Players can switch positions during a rally.
- The ball is in play if it lands on a sideline or end line.

B) BASKETBALL
- Two teams each have up to five players on the court at one time.
- Teams score by shooting the basketball through the hoop.
- Each team tries to prevent their opponent from scoring by either stealing the ball or blocking an
attempted shot.
- The ball is moved down the court by either passing it to a teammate or dribbling it.
- The game begins with two opposing players in the center circle, each jumping to tip the
basketball that the referee tosses up. The team that does not gain the tip-off gains the
possession arrow and will be awarded the basketball the next time it is tied up between
opposing players. The teams will switch off with the possession arrow on every jump ball
situation or at the beginning of a quarter or half. A jump ball will only be used again at the start
of an overtime period. The possession arrow will be used during overtime periods.
- A dribbler can’t travel by walking or running with the ball more than 1 and half steps
- Nobody can enter the foul lane on a free throw until the ball hits the rim.

C) NETBALL
- You cannot travel with the ball.
- There are only 7 players on the court from each team at all times unless a player has been sent
off by the referee
- You cannot snatch or hit the ball out of a player's hands. This is called contact. You must stand
beside the player until the ball has been left the player's hands.
- When defending the ball, you must stand 3 feet away from the person with the ball.
- Players cannot hold the ball for more than 3 seconds. This includes throwing it the air, no-one
else touches it and you catch it again.
- Players are not allowed to move into the areas that they are not designated to
- When the defence in the circle are called up by the referee, they have to stand beside the
shooter.
- The shooter has the decision of shooting the ball or passing the ball.
- When the ball goes out of court, the team who last touched the ball hands the ball over to the
opposing team. They have 3 seconds to stand outside of the court at the line where it went out
and pass the ball.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RULES IN SPORTS AND GAMES
 observing honesty
 maintaining discipline during the entire play time
 reducing body injuries to players
 avoiding unnecessary conflicts
 maintaining integrity
 encouraging fair play

WHO OFFICIATES SOME SPORTS AND GAMES

An official is a person who makes sure that all the agreed rules are followed

A) FOOTBALL
Referee

Assisted by two assistant referees

B) NETBALL
Umpire

C) ATHLETICS
Starter

Assisted by field marshal and track judge

D) BASKETBALL
Referee

IMPROVING THE HOME

Homes play an important role in people's lives because most of our time is spent at home.

Activities that take place should therefore provide a healthy and happy life for an individual and the
entire household.

It is therefore important to acquire basic skills in cleaning, beautifying and practicing economical use of
resources at home to improve lives.

SOME WAYS OF IMPROVING THE HOME

 producing chair backs
 producing table mats

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  producing wall hangings
 producing paintings
 producing drawings or pictures

ITEMS USED FOR IMPROVING THE HOME

 chair backs
 table mats
 wall hangings
 paintings
 drawings
 pictures

LOCAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Musical instruments play an important role in music.

They help to make music more pleasant.

TWO MAJOR GROUPS (CLASSES) OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

A) TUNED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Tuned musical instruments are those which when played produce two or more pitches.

This group has all instruments which are stringed and produce sound by plucking.

Examples are banjo, bangwe, kaligo, and guitar.

B) UNTUNED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Untuned musical instruments are those which have one fixed pitch.

Examples in this group include drums, hoe blades, mkangala, shakers, nkhwendo, wood blocks and
clapping hands.

These are also called percussion musical instruments.

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1) SIMPLE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
 shakers
 visekese
 mkangala
 nkhwendo
 drums
 banjos
 acoustic guitars

The simple musical instruments can be made from local materials.

2) SOPHISTICATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

 electric guitar
 accordion
 trumpet
 saxophone
 piano

HOW SOME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ARE PLAYED

 plucking
 beating
 blowing
 shaking
 stroking
 clicking
 striking
 rubbing

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SOME MATERIALS FOR MAKING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
 animal hide
 wood blocks
 strings
 nails
 gallons
 tree trunk
 stones
 animal bones
 sticks
 reed
 bamboos
 plastic papers

UNIT 7 MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

Communication is passing on of information from one person to another.

Where there is no proper communication, problems may arise due to misunderstandings.

Means of communication are in different forms. These include:

o use of instruments
o sending of envoys
o dressing of some kind

Some of the instruments used for expressing and communicating include:

o horns of different animals
o drums of different sizes
o gongs
o bells

For example, in some societies, announcement of beer is made through a gong which is sounded early
in the morning.

The same method is also used in death announcement.

In the past, trumpets were also used to announce victory at war or the coming of enemies into the land.

In some societies, envoys are sent to convey messages of different kinds.

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For example, among the Chewa;

a) When one brings a white chicken to a chief it means accepting an offence committed

b) When one brings a black chicken to a chief it means one has brought a funeral message

In the Bible when something went wrong, the people could wear a sack cloth and smear ashes on the
body.

In modern times a widow wears black cloth to show that she has lost a husband.

People also wear rings on certain fingers to communicate that they are either engaged or married.

TRADITIONAL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

- blowing horns
- hitting gongs
- wearing certain cloth
- beating drums
- mouth whistling
- clapping hands
- writing letters
- singing songs
- telling stories

MODERN MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

- through electronic mail (email)
- through telecommunication e.g. telephone and mobile phone
- through sirens
- through mass media e.g. radio, newspaper, internet
- through books

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MODERN TECHONOLOGIES OF COMMUNICATION
 phones
 computers
 radios
 newspapers
 books

WAYS PEOPLE COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER IN DISTANT PLACES

 phones
 faxes
 emails
 SMS (short message services)
 letters
 internet
 television
 radio
 newspapers

CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION

Various art forms are used in different cultures to mean different things.

VARIOUS ART FORMS USED IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

 colour
 patterns
 symbols
 designs
 sounds

For example, in China red colour stands for wedding

In Malawi red colour is a sign for danger.

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In Malawi and America white colour is for wedding.

Various communities have specific patterns and designs which are used to mean different things.

For example tattoos (mphini) on human faces are for beautification.

A combination of various decorative patterns are used to produce various designs of products such as
hat making.

There are certain sounds, symbols and signs that convey meanings to people.

For example, a cock crowing at night indicates dawn is approaching while the hooting of an own at night
is believed to indicate a bad omen.

Some symbols indicate an identity of a person or an institution.

For example, a cross on an institution may show that it is a church while a crescent may show that it is a
mosque.

Certain colours have a cultural bearing.

For example, a white flag on a roof or tree indicates a wedding in some societies.

MALAWIAN NATIONAL FLAG COLOURS AND THEIR MEANINGS

The flag consists of three equal sized horizontal stripes of black, red and green with a rising red half-sun
at the centre of the top black stripe.

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Each colour and symbol of the flag of the republic of Malawi has a meaning.

The Red Sun: signifies the rising sun as a new dawn of freedom and hope for Malawi.

Black: the people of Malawi who are predominantly black Africans.

Red: the blood shed by the heroes in sacrifice for the struggle of Malawi’s independence.

Green: the land of Malawi, its green nature, fertility and agricultural potential.

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY IN EXPRESSING AND COMMUNICATING

Modern technology has both good effects and bad effects on people's lives.

GOOD EFFECTS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY ON THE PEOPLE

 it has improved speed of doing things
 people can travel long distances within a short time
 Modern technology has made it possible for people learn formal education through online (i.e.
using internet)
 It is possible to communicate with a friend who is far away within a short period of time.
 it has made it easy and safe to transfer/send money from one person to another

BAD EFFECTS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY ON THE PEOPLE

 there is no restriction on what should be viewed on television or the internet
 internet is flooded with pornographic materials that can spoil people's minds
 interaction between and among people reduces where people glue to the TV screens and talk
less
 it has brought in cyber crime
 television programmes can also influence the youths negatively
 it has increased instances of bad experiences of pedophiles

UNIT 8 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Outdoor activities are educational experiences planned by the teacher to enable the learners gain a
complete understanding and appreciation of their environment.

PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND ARTWORKS IN THE COMMUNITY

There are various physical, cultural and artworks done in the community.

Some of these artworks are produced through:

- painting
- carving

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 - weaving
- modelling

Cultural activities in the community may include:

- traditional dances
- rites of passage ceremonies

Physical activities include:

- swimming
- nature exploration
- mountain climbing

THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND ARTWORKS IN THE COMMUNITY
The various physical, cultural activities and artworks found in the communities are of great significance.

i) Physical activities
- improve the health of members of the community
- increase the people's perspective of the world

ii) Cultural activities

- give an identity to the communities
- fosters interaction among community members
- increase sense of belonging

iii) Artifacts or artworks

- are a source of income
- attract tourists

UNIT 9 INTERPRETATION OF ARTWORKS

Traditional dances, songs and modelled items depicting culture are some of the examples of artworks in
Malawi.

Some of these artworks have cultural significance or messages which require interpretation.

The songs and dances convey different messages, and the modelled items depict culture of the society.

The songs and dances are performed in different situations for different purposes.

OCCASIONS/SITUATIONS WHEN SONGS AND DANCES ARE PERFORMED

 wedding ceremonies

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  initiation ceremonies
 installation of chiefs
 funeral ceremonies
 festivals
 community gatherings
 political gatherings

PURPOSES FOR PERFORMING SONGS AND DANCES

 entertainment
 healing
 inducing ancestral spirits
 competition
 advising
 rebuking for bad behaviour

FAMILIAR TRADITIONAL DANCES

 gulewamkulu
 manganje
 tchopa
 vimbuza
 malipenga
 beni
 likwata
 jiri
 uyeni
 chinamwali
 mganda

ART ITEMS SHOWING CULTURAL HERITAGE

People can describe art items found in different areas according to their appearance, shape and
decorations.

Some art items are associated with a specific group of people, for example, previously each group of
people had their own style of modelling and decorating household items.

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Culture changes with time, there have also been some changes in the way people make their art items
today.

SOME COMMON ART ITEMS WHICH DEPICT CULTURE

 carved items
 woven items
 plaited items
 modelled items

Once the items are produced, the learners must attach value to them and be able to mock sell them.

The reasons for doing this are:

a) To show to the learners that they can earn a living from the art products

b) To create a spirit of excellence in the learners

UNIT 10 ARTISTIC PERFORMANCE

Artistic performances are aimed at educating and entertaining the audience.

REASONS FOR DOING ARTISTIC PERFORMANCE

 part of exercises
 form of competition
 educating
 entertaining
 informing

SOME ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES

 drama
 dance
 music
 physical exercises
 sports
 poetry

Performers usually wear appropriate attire to suit the kind of performance.

An attire makes the performers look attractive and easily identified

DRAMA STORY LINES

Drama is the performance that aims at educating the audience in an entertaining way.

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Before drama performance, one has to write story lines and propose actors and actresses.

People who perform in drama are called actors when they are men, and actresses when they are
women.

These actors and actresses are characters in the play.

The story itself is called a plot and it is divided into acts and scenes.

An act is a larger segment of a plot which is sub-divided into scene (smaller segments).

Scene is the smaller segment of a plot.

Story lines may depict different issues.

However, a good story in a play leaves the audience in suspense up to the end and teaches a moral
lesson.

DEVELOPING STORY LINES ON CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

Some cross-cutting issues are:

- HIV and AIDS
- environmental degradation
- pollution
- corruption
- human rights violation
- gender

PRODUCING ATTIRE FOR SPORTS, DANCE AND DRAMA

Performers usually wear appropriate attire to suit the kind of performance.

For example in drama, actors and actresses usually act out different roles.

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As such they wear attire to portray the character or role they represent.

Likewise in sporting activities, performers have sportswear that suit the type of sport.

In dances, the dancers usually wear different kinds of attire that go with the dance.

Some attire can simply be bought or improvised.

MATERIALS FOR MAKING ATTIRE FOR DRAMA, SPORTS AND DANCE

 cotton fabric
 pair of scissors
 sewing thread
 embroidery thread
 old clothes
 razor blades
 palm leaves
 banana leaves
 ropes
 elastic
 pins
 paper patterns

REASONS FOR WEARING SPECIAL ATTIRE WHEN DOING PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SPORTS, DANCES AND
DRAMA
- To make the performance exciting
- To enable performers perform freely
- To identify themselves

UNIT 11 DECORATIVE ARTWORKS

There are many things that are done in our life to express feelings and emotions in an artistic way.

for example, although a dance may have specific dancing patterns, you will always see that while some
are following the patterns prescribed (said/told), others still add some gestures or movements to make
their dancing unique, beautiful and attractive.

To achieve this beauty, dancers may use facial expressions or exaggerated movements.

All such things constitute what is known as aesthetics.

AESTHETIC ARTWORKS
In music, there are many things or symbols that are used to make the singing more interesting.

Things such as dynamics assist to create beauty and reduce monotony.

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Dynamics refers to the loudness and softness of sound.

Usually there are various symbols that are used in music to show these dynamics.

This symbol is called a crescendo and it means getting louder

This symbol is called a decrescendo and it means getting softer

This symbol is called a fermata and it means holding the sound of the note for
sometime

p this symbol is called a piano and it means singing softly

pp this symbol is called a pianissimo and it means singing very softly

mp this symbol is called a mezzo piano and it means singing moderately soft

mf this symbol is called a mezzo forte and it means singing moderately loud

f this symbol is called a forte and it means singing loudly

ff this symbol is called a fortissimo and it means singing very loudly

Another important element of music which assists to add the beauty of the song is tempo.

A song sounds beautiful when it changes speed at various intervals.

This also helps to avoid boredom

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DECORATIVE PATTERNS

There are different ways of decorating artworks.

WAYS OF DECORATING ARTWORKS

 tattooing
 engraving
 stamping
 impressing
 polishing
 colouring
 coiling
 incising
 staining
 blending with iron oxide
 burning using a hot metal rod or wire
 Appliqueing

The importance of decorating artworks is that the decorated artworks look attractive and sell easily.

You can sew a simple applique on a cloth to make it attractive.

You can use hexagonal woven strips or diagonal woven strips when weaving a mat or carpet to come up
with a desired pattern.

You can decorate a pot or a flower vase by tattooing or engraving, stamping or impressing, polishing
and colouring.

SEWING A SIMPLE APPLIQUE

An applique is ornamental needlework in which pieces of fabric in different shapes and patterns are
sewn or stuck onto a larger piece to form a picture or pattern

or

Applique is the technique of stitching small pieces of fabric onto a larger piece to create a design.

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Appliques can be pre-cut or trimmed in place

You can decorate your jeans using applique, sewing flowers and stars on them.

or

Applique is a sewing technique that involves stitching a small piece of fabric onto a larger one to make a
pattern or design.

or

Applique is an ornamentation, as a cut out, that is sewn on to or otherwise applied to a piece of

material

MATERIALS FOR SEWING A SIMPLE APPLIQUE

 cloth
 sewing needles
 sewing thread
 pairs of scissors

DECORATING POTS AND VASES

MATERIALS FOR WEAVING AND DECORATING MATS, BROOMS AND CARPETS

 palm leaves
 banana leaves
 knife
 dyes
 water
 sewing needles
 thread
 bucket

MATERIALS FOR DECORATING POTS AND VASES

 clay

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  pebbles
 old spoons
 shells
 mango seeds
 water
 old baskets
 sisal
 brush
 bones
 wire
 a knife
 fingers
 wood or metal stamps

UNIT 12 HOME MAKING

Home making is certainly an art.

For the home to be comfortable there is need to purchase household items.

Some people try to make their homes comfortable by purchasing very expensive household items.

Others may not have enough money to spend on luxury household items.

What such people do is to make the items for themselves and the surplus is sold.

PRODUCING AND MARKETING HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Various household items are made from raw materials found in the locality.

These are utensils and articles for everyday use in the home.

Clay and wood can be used to model and carve items like pots, mortar, wooden spoons, cooking sticks
and pestles.

Some embroidered items like chair backs can also be made.

Clay items should be dried in a shed as direct sunshine causes them to crack.

Wooden items should not be exposed to moisture for fear that they may expand and crack.

CARVING HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Household items that can be produced through carving include:
 wooden spoons
 cooking sticks
 mortars

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  pestles
 clubs
 wooden clutches

SOME MATERIALS FOR CARVING HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

 wood blocks
 panga knives
 sandpaper
 an adze axe
 glass
 stones

MODELLING HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

The following are some of the household items that can be produced by modelling:

 cooking pot
 spoons
 a mortar
 a bucket
 a pestle
 plates
 Saucers

MATERIALS FOR MODELLING HUSEHOLD ITEMS

 clay
 grass
 wood
 stone
 leaves

HOME RECREATION
There are a number of items that can be made locally to improve the home.

When these materials are artistically made, they can be sold at the markets

COSTING AND LABELLING ITEMS MADE

Marketing is a skill that requires the ability to price, label, display and advertise.

Usually customers bargain for a better price.

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It is important for a seller to exercise customer care through patience and tolerance.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN COSTING PRODUCTS/ITEMS

 Amount of materials used
 Time spent in making the item/product
 Attractiveness of the finished product
 Age group meant for the item
 Availability of the product
 Durability of the product
 Quality of the material
 Demand
 Cost of the materials, if bought

WAYS OF MARKETING VARIOUS ITEMS/PRODUCTS

The following are some of the ways of marketing products that have been drawn, woven, carved,
modelled and so forth:
 Advertising
 Making a display of finished products
 Organizing a showcase

SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT CAN BE MADE IN THE HOME AND SOLD
 chair backs
 wooden spoons
 cooking sticks
 brooms
 clay pots
 flower vases
 mortars
 pestles

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REFERENCES

Standard 6 Teacher’s Guide

Standard 6 Learner’s Book

Longhorn, New Horizon, Social Environmental Sciences, Primary School, Atlas, Malawi

The internet

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