Practical Work on Production of Pattern – JSS2 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Second Term)

Pattern making is the repeating of a shape or design in an orderly way.

• Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
• Class: JSS2
• Duration: 40 minutes

What are the three types of pattern pupils will make?

There are three types of pattern in this lesson: simple repeat, diamond repeat and mirror repeat.

• Simple repeat: one shape repeated with even spacing, facing the same direction.
• Diamond repeat: diamonds joined so that they touch at their corners.
• Mirror repeat: a design matched on both sides of a centre line, facing opposite ways.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Create their own simple repeat pattern correctly.
2. Make a diamond repeat pattern with proper connections.
3. Produce a mirror repeat pattern showing symmetry.
4. Work neatly and carefully when making patterns.
5. Show creativity in choosing shapes and colours for their patterns.

What materials are needed?

• Paper: white drawing paper (A4 size) for each pupil.
• Drawing tools: pencils, erasers and rulers.
• Colours: coloured pencils, crayons or markers.
• Samples: sample patterns from the previous lesson.
• Templates (optional): cardboard for making templates.
• Desk cover: old newspapers.
• Demonstration: the teacher’s board or large paper.

What do pupils already know?

Pupils learned the meaning of patterns and the three types in the last lesson.

• They know simple repeat, diamond repeat and mirror repeat.
• They can identify these patterns when they see them.

How does the teacher introduce the lesson? (5 minutes)

The introduction reviews the last lesson and tells pupils they will now make patterns themselves.

• Review: the teacher holds up three patterned fabrics or pictures.
• Question: pupils say which type of pattern each one shows.
• Announcement: “Today, you will become pattern makers! Each of you will create your own patterns using the three types we learned about.”
• Examples: the teacher shows finished work from previous years, if available.
• Encouragement: everyone’s pattern will be unique because each person has their own style.

Step 1: How do pupils prepare for pattern making? (5 minutes)

Pupils prepare by setting up their desks and materials before they draw.

Getting ready to work

1. Cover your desk with old newspaper if you are using paints or markers that might stain.
2. Arrange your materials neatly, with pencils on one side and colours on the other.
3. Keep your eraser and ruler within reach.
4. Have three sheets of paper ready, one for each type of pattern.

Important tips before starting

The teacher writes these tips on the board and explains each one.

• Plan before you draw: think about what shape you want to use.
• Start with pencil: draw lightly first, then go over with colour.
• Use your ruler: straight lines make patterns look neat.
• Space your designs evenly: do not put them too close or too far apart.
• Take your time: good patterns need patience.
• If you make a mistake: erase gently and try again.

• Reminder: artists often make several attempts before they are happy, so mistakes are normal.

Step 2: How do you make a simple repeat pattern? (10 minutes)

A simple repeat pattern is made by drawing one shape again and again with equal spacing along a guide line.

Demonstration

• The teacher demonstrates on the board and explains each step.
• Example said aloud: “I want to make a simple repeat pattern using flowers. Watch how I do it.”

Step-by-step process

1. Choose your shape or design
   1. Pick something simple: star, flower, heart, circle with dots, triangle or leaf.
   2. Do not choose something too complicated for your first try.
2. Draw a light pencil line across your paper
   1. Use your ruler to draw a straight horizontal line.
   2. This guide line keeps everything level.
   3. You can erase it later.
3. Draw your first shape
   1. Make it a good size, not too tiny and not too huge.
   2. Put it on or near the line you drew.
   3. Take your time to make it neat.
4. Measure the space
   1. Use your finger or ruler to measure the space after your shape.
   2. Leave about the same amount of space before you draw the next one.
   3. Even spacing makes the pattern look neat.
5. Repeat your shape
   1. Draw the same shape again, keeping the same size.
   2. Make sure it faces the same direction.
   3. Keep the same space between each one.
6. Continue across the page
   1. Keep repeating until you reach the end of your line.
   2. Try to fit at least 5 to 6 shapes on your line.
7. Add more lines (if time permits)
   1. Draw another guide line below the first one.
   2. Create another row of your pattern.
   3. Make sure shapes in the second row line up with the first row.
8. Colour your pattern
   1. Choose colours that look good together.
   2. Make all shapes the same colour, or alternate colours.
   3. Colour neatly, staying inside the lines.

What variations can pupils try?

A simple repeat can also use two alternating shapes.

• Star and moon: star, moon, star, moon, star, moon.
• Circle and square: circle, square, circle, square, circle, square.
• Big and small flower: big flower, small flower, big flower, small flower.

Practical work time

• Pupils work on their own simple repeat patterns.
• The teacher moves around, helps pupils who need it, praises good work and gently corrects errors.

Common problems the teacher watches for

• Changing size: shapes getting bigger or smaller as pupils continue.
• Uneven spacing: gaps that are not equal.
• Tilting: shapes leaning in different directions.
• Rushing: pupils hurrying and making messy work.

Step 3: How do you make a diamond repeat pattern? (12 minutes)

A diamond repeat pattern is a network of diamonds (squares standing on a corner) that touch at their corners.

Demonstration

• The teacher explains: “Diamond repeat is a bit more challenging because the diamonds must connect with each other. If you follow the steps carefully, you can do it!”

Step-by-step process

1. Draw your first diamond
   1. Start in the middle of your paper.
   2. Draw a diamond shape (like a square standing on its corner).
   3. Make it about the size of your thumb.
   4. Use light pencil strokes first.
2. Add diamonds on the sides
   1. Draw another diamond touching the left point of your first diamond.
   2. Draw another diamond touching the right point.
   3. The corners should meet exactly, with no gaps and no overlaps.
3. Add diamonds above and below
   1. Draw a diamond touching the top point of your centre diamond.
   2. Draw a diamond touching the bottom point.
   3. You now have five diamonds making a cross shape.
4. Fill in the spaces
   1. Look at the spaces between your diamonds.
   2. Add more diamonds to fill these spaces.
   3. Each new diamond should touch at least two other diamonds at their corners.
5. Continue building outward
   1. Keep adding diamonds, moving outward from the centre.
   2. Try to cover at least half of your paper with the pattern.
   3. Remember: corners should always touch.
6. Make your lines darker
   1. Once you are happy with your diamond network, trace over the pencil lines.
   2. Use a pen, marker or dark crayon.
   3. Press firmly to make clear, strong lines.
7. Add colour
   1. Choose 2 to 3 colours for variety.
   2. Colour every other diamond the same colour.
   3. Or make a colour pattern: red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow.
   4. Leave some diamonds white for contrast.

Teacher’s tips

• Accept small wobbles: “If your diamonds are not perfect, that is okay. Slightly wobbly diamonds can still make a nice pattern.”
• Start in the centre: “Work outward. Do not start from the corner of your paper.”
• Go bigger: “If you find it difficult, make bigger diamonds first. They are easier to connect.”

Practical work time

• Pupils work on their diamond repeat patterns.
• This is the most challenging pattern, so the teacher gives extra attention to pupils who struggle.
• The teacher can help by marking dots where the diamond corners should go.

Step 4: How do you make a mirror repeat pattern? (8 minutes)

A mirror repeat pattern is a design drawn on one side of a centre line and matched, facing the opposite way, on the other side.

Symmetry means both halves of a design are exactly alike.

Demonstration

• The teacher says: “Imagine your paper has an invisible mirror in the middle. Whatever you draw on one side must appear on the other side, but facing the opposite way.”

Step-by-step process

1. Fold your paper in half vertically
   1. Bring the right edge to meet the left edge.
   2. Press down firmly on the fold to make a clear crease.
   3. Open the paper back up. You now have a centre line.
2. Or draw a centre line
   1. If you do not want to fold, use your ruler.
   2. Draw a light vertical line down the middle of your paper.
   3. This line divides your paper into left and right halves.
3. Draw on one side first
   1. Choose the left side or the right side. It does not matter which.
   2. Draw your design on that side only.
   3. Stay away from the centre line (leave a little space).
   4. Draw anything you like: a tree, a flower, a bird, a house or geometric shapes.
4. Create the mirror image
   1. Look at what you drew.
   2. Draw the exact same thing on the other side.
   3. Make it face the opposite direction.
   4. If your flower leans right on the left side, make it lean left on the right side.
5. Match everything carefully
   1. The design on both sides should be the same distance from the centre line.
   2. Both should be the same size.
   3. Both should be at the same height (level with each other).
6. Check your work
   1. Fold your paper again on the centre line.
   2. Hold it up to the light.
   3. If both designs match, you did well.
7. Add details and colour
   1. Add small details to make your design more interesting.
   2. Whatever you add to one side must be added to the other side too.
   3. Use the same colours on both sides, or use complementary colours.

What is the alternative folding technique?

The folding technique makes a mirror pattern by cutting a folded sheet of paper.

1. Fold the paper in half.
2. Draw your design on one side while the paper is folded.
3. Cut along your design (like making paper snowflakes).
4. Open the paper to show a mirror pattern.

Practical work time

• Pupils create their mirror repeat patterns.
• Many pupils find this easier than diamond repeat.
• The teacher encourages creative designs, with every part mirrored exactly.

How does the teacher close the lesson?

The teacher collects and displays the completed patterns, then praises good examples.

• Display: patterns go on the classroom wall or a table where everyone can see them.
• Praise for simple repeat: “Look at Amina’s simple repeat. See how even her spacing is!”
• Praise for diamond repeat: “Tunde’s diamond pattern connects perfectly at every corner!”
• Praise for mirror repeat: “Blessing made a beautiful mirror repeat with a bird design!”
• Link to culture: “Every culture in Nigeria has traditional patterns in its fabrics, buildings and crafts. Today, you have created patterns just like our ancestors did.”

Evaluation (3 minutes)

The teacher walks around and asks each pupil these questions about their work.

1. Which type of pattern did you find easiest to make? Why?
2. Which one was most challenging for you?
3. Show me your simple repeat pattern. Did you keep the spacing even?
4. In your diamond repeat, are the corners touching properly?
5. In your mirror repeat, do both sides really match?

• Peer comment: each pupil also looks at a classmate’s work and says something kind about at least one pattern.

Assignment

Notice patterns around you this week. At home, make one new pattern using a simple repeat, diamond repeat or mirror repeat, and bring it to the next lesson.