Practical of Craft Making – JSS2 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (First Term)

Craft making is the practical work of making useful objects by hand.

• Subject: Creative Arts (Cultural and Creative Arts)
• Class: JSS2
• Duration: 40 minutes
• Projects: a woven mat made from paper strips, and a plate made from clay.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Cut paper into strips of equal width for weaving.
2. Weave paper strips in an over-and-under pattern to make a mat.
3. Secure the edges of a woven paper mat and finish it neatly.
4. Prepare clay by kneading and roll it out to an even thickness.
5. Shape, decorate and dry a clay plate.
6. State tips for making a better woven mat.

What is practical craft work?

Practical craft work is the use of the skills you have learned to make an item with your own hands.

• Patience: work slowly and follow the instructions carefully.
• First attempt: it may not be perfect, and experienced craft makers also make mistakes.
• Keep trying: enjoy the process of creating something new.
• Clean workspace: keep the area tidy before you begin.
• Materials ready: place everything you need in front of you before you start.

What are the key terms in this lesson?

Project 1: How do you make a woven mat using paper?

A woven paper mat is made by weaving strips of paper over and under each other.

What is a woven mat?

A woven mat is made by crossing strips of material over and under each other in a pattern.

• Traditional mats: often made from palm fronds, reeds or grasses.
• Paper mat: paper is easy to find and easy to work with.
• Placemat: use the mat for eating.
• Decoration: hang it on a wall.
• Base: use it under things on a desk or table.

What materials are needed for a woven paper mat?

• Coloured paper or old magazines: two different colours work best.
• Ruler: for measuring the strips.
• Pencil: for drawing the cutting lines.
• Scissors: for cutting the strips.
• Paper gum or glue stick: for securing the edges.
• Tape (optional): for holding the strips while you weave.
• Flat working surface: keeps the mat flat.

• If you have no coloured paper, use newspaper and paint it first.
• You can also use pages from old magazines.

What are the steps for making a woven paper mat?

Step 1: Prepare your paper strips (15 minutes)

1. Take the first sheet of coloured paper, for example blue.
2. Use a ruler to draw lines across the paper, about 2 centimetres apart.
3. Cut along the lines with scissors. Cut straight, neat lines.
4. You should have about 10-12 blue strips of the same width.
5. Repeat with the second colour, for example yellow, to get 10-12 yellow strips.
6. Keep the strips neat. You can hold them together with a paperclip.

Step 2: Create the base (10 minutes)

1. Lay all the blue strips side by side on your table.
2. Place them vertically (going up and down) in front of you.
3. Make sure they touch each other with no gaps.
4. Put a small piece of tape across the top of the strips. It holds them in place while you weave.
5. The blue strips are now your vertical strips, also called the warp.

Step 3: Start weaving (30-40 minutes)

1. Take the first yellow strip. It goes across horizontally.
2. Start at the left side of the blue strips.
3. Weave it over the first blue strip, under the second, over the third and under the fourth.
4. Continue over, under, over, under until you reach the end.
5. Push the yellow strip to the top, right under the tape.
6. Take the second yellow strip and start differently: under the first blue strip, over the second, under the third and over the fourth.
7. Push this strip up tight against the first yellow strip.
8. Alternate every row. If the last row started with “over”, the next row starts with “under”.
9. Push each new strip tight against the one before it. This makes the mat strong and neat.
10. Continue until you have used all the yellow strips or the mat is the size you want.

Step 4: Secure the edges (10-15 minutes)

1. Remove the tape from the top of the blue strips.
2. Glue down the ends of the blue strips along the top edge.
3. Do the same along the bottom edge.
4. Glue the ends of the yellow strips along the left edge and the right edge.
5. Press down firmly on all the edges so the glue sticks well.
6. For a neater finish, fold the edges under and glue them.

Step 5: Finishing touches (5-10 minutes)

1. Trim uneven edges with scissors so all sides are straight.
2. Add a little more glue to any loose strips.
3. Place a heavy book on the mat for a few minutes to make it flat.
4. Let the glue dry completely before using the mat.

What are the optional decorations for a paper mat?

• Border: glue a decorative border around the edges.
• Name: write your name on the back.
• Coating: spray or paint a protective coating on it.

What are the tips for a better woven mat?

• Equal width: keep your strips the same width for a neat, even look.
• Tight rows: push each row tight against the previous one.
• Gentle pulling: do not pull strips too tight or the mat will curl.
• Check the pattern: look at it as you work to catch mistakes early.
• Flat surface: work on a flat surface so the mat stays flat.

Project 2: How do you make a plate using clay?

A clay plate is made by kneading, rolling, shaping, decorating and slowly drying clay.

What is a clay plate?

A clay plate is a shallow, flat dish that you shape from clay.

• History: people have made clay plates for thousands of years.
• Use: it can hold small items such as jewellery.
• Decoration: it can also be used as an ornament.
• Food: a plate that is only air-dried and not fired is not meant for eating from.

What materials are needed for a clay plate?

• Clay: enough to fill both your hands when you make a ball.
• Flat working surface: a board or table covered with newspaper.
• Rolling pin or smooth bottle: for rolling the clay flat.
• Bowl or plate (optional): used as a guide or mould.
• Butter knife or popsicle stick: for trimming and carving.
• Cup of water: for smoothing and joining clay.
• Cloth or sponge: for wiping the plate gently.
• Newspaper: protects your work area.

What are the steps for making a clay plate?

Step 1: Prepare your clay (10 minutes)

1. Place the lump of clay on your work surface.
2. Push and press the clay with your hands. This is called kneading.
3. Fold the clay over and push it down again.
4. Knead for about 5 minutes. This removes air bubbles and makes the clay smooth.
5. If the clay is dry and cracking, wet your hands with a little water and knead again.
6. If the clay is too sticky, sprinkle a tiny bit of dry clay or flour on the work surface.
7. When the clay is smooth and easy to work with, roll it into a ball.

Step 2: Flatten the clay (10 minutes)

1. Place the ball of clay on your work surface.
2. Press down with your palm to flatten it a little.
3. Roll the rolling pin (or bottle) forward and back over the clay.
4. Turn the clay a little and roll again.
5. Roll until the clay is flat and about 1 centimetre thick all over.
6. Check the thickness by pressing gently with your finger.
7. Try to make the shape round. If it is not perfectly round, trim it later.

Step 3: Shape the plate (15 minutes)

Method 1: Using a mould

1. Turn a real plate or bowl upside down.
2. Carefully lift the flat clay and drape it over the upside-down plate.
3. Gently press and smooth the clay so it takes the shape of the plate underneath.
4. Trim the edges with your knife to make them even.
5. Carefully remove the clay from the mould.

Method 2: Hand shaping

1. Keep the flat clay on the table.
2. Gently lift the edges with your fingers while the centre stays flat on the table.
3. Use your other hand to press and smooth the clay into a shallow curve.
4. Work slowly, turning the clay as you shape it.
5. The middle stays flat and the edges curve up a little.

Step 4: Create the rim (10 minutes)

1. Look at the edge of the plate. It may be rough or uneven.
2. Smooth the edge all the way around with your finger.
3. Pinch the rim gently to make it slightly thicker, or fold the edge over slightly for a decorative rim.
4. Make sure the rim is even all the way around.
5. Smooth cracks and rough spots with a wet finger.

Step 5: Decorate your plate (15-20 minutes)

There are four ways to decorate a clay plate: patterns with tools, texture, carved designs and added decorations.

• Patterns with tools: press a fork pattern around the rim, make dots with the end of a pencil, draw lines with a stick or knife, or make wavy lines around the edge.
• Texture: press fabric or lace into the clay, press leaves or flowers to make prints, or use a comb to make lines.
• Carved designs: draw the design lightly with a pencil, then carve along the lines with a stick. You can write your name or initials on the back.
• Added decorations: stick small balls of clay around the rim, attach a small clay flower to the centre, or make a border from small pieces of clay.

Remember: to join clay pieces, scratch both surfaces, add a tiny bit of water, then press firmly together.

Step 6: Smooth and finish (10 minutes)

1. Dip your finger in water.
2. Rub your wet finger gently over the whole plate. This smooths rough spots and fingerprints.
3. Wipe the plate gently with a damp cloth or sponge.
4. Check for cracks and smooth them with wet fingers.
5. Make sure the bottom is flat so the plate sits steady.

Step 7: Dry your plate (1-3 days)

Drying slowly is very important, because a plate that dries too fast can crack.

1. Place the plate on a flat surface covered with newspaper.
2. Put it where air can move around it, but not in direct sunlight.
3. Keep it away from heaters and the sun, because fast drying causes cracks.
4. Let it dry for at least one full day, longer if the weather is humid.
5. It is dry when the clay turns a lighter colour and feels completely dry to touch.

Step 8: Paint and seal (optional, after drying)

1. Wait until the plate is completely dry.
2. Use poster paint, acrylic paint or any paint you have.
3. Paint the top first and let it dry.
4. Paint the bottom if you want.
5. Use one colour or create a design, then let the paint dry completely.
6. Coat the plate with varnish or clear nail polish to protect it and make it shiny.

Evaluation

1. What is a woven mat, and what materials do we use for the paper mat?
2. Describe how the second yellow strip is woven differently from the first.
3. What is kneading, and why do we knead clay before shaping it?
4. Why should a clay plate dry slowly and away from direct sunlight?
5. Name two ways of decorating a clay plate.

Assignment

Make a paper woven mat or a clay plate at home, following the steps in this lesson. Write down three tips from the lesson that you followed while making it.