Production of Beadwork Jewelleries JSS2 Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA) Lesson Note

Production of Beadwork Jewelleries Using Roll Paper, Seeds, and Small Pieces of Wood

Subject: Creative Arts (Cultural and Creative Arts)

Class: JSS2

Duration: 40 minutes

LESSON OBJECTIVES

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

1. Make beads from rolled paper, seeds, and small wood pieces
2. String beads together to create simple jewellery
3. Arrange beads in attractive patterns and colour combinations
4. Create at least one complete jewellery item (bracelet or necklace)
5. Work carefully and safely with beadmaking materials

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Colourful magazine pages or wrapping paper
• Scissors and glue
• Toothpicks or thin sticks
• Dried seeds (melon seeds, beans, maize)
• Small wood pieces or broken matchsticks
• Needles (with big eyes for threading)
• Strong thread, fishing line, or thin wire
• Sandpaper
• Clear nail polish or varnish
• Rulers and pencils
• Old newspapers for covering desks

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

Pupils learned about beadwork and the methods of making beads from paper, seeds, and wood in the previous lesson. They understand basic pattern-making.

LESSON CONTENT

INTRODUCTION (3 minutes)

The teacher displays several samples of handmade jewellery – necklaces, bracelets, and anklets made from paper beads, seed beads, and wooden beads. The teacher asks pupils to identify which beads are made from which materials. Then the teacher announces: “Today, you will make your own jewellery using these three methods. By the end of this class, you will wear something you created with your own hands!”

STEP 1: Preparation and Safety Rules (4 minutes)

Getting Ready: Pupils cover their desks with old newspapers. The teacher divides the class into three main groups, though each pupil will eventually try all three methods.

Safety Reminders:

• Handle scissors carefully – cut away from your body
• Needles are sharp – always thread carefully and keep them visible on your desk
• Don’t put seeds or small beads in your mouth
• If using sandpaper, rub gently to avoid splinters
• Ask for help when you need it
• Keep your workspace organized so small items don’t fall and get lost

STEP 2: Making Paper Roll Beads (10 minutes)

Quick Review of Steps: The teacher briefly reviews the process while demonstrating:

1. Cutting Paper Strips: Use colourful magazine pages. Cut long triangular strips – about 15 cm long, 2 cm wide at the base, tapering to a point. Choose pages with different colours for variety.
2. Rolling the Beads: Place toothpick at the wide end of the strip. Roll tightly and evenly toward the pointed end. Keep constant pressure so the bead doesn’t become loose. The tighter the roll, the stronger the bead.
3. Gluing: When you reach the pointed end, apply a small drop of glue. Press down and hold for 5 seconds. Too much glue makes it messy.
4. Drying: Leave beads on toothpicks for about 5 minutes. Make several beads while waiting for each one to dry.
5. Coating (if time permits): Brush clear nail polish over dried beads for shine and strength. Let dry again before removing from toothpick.

Practical Work: Pupils now make their own paper beads. The teacher moves around helping those who struggle with rolling tightly. The goal is for each pupil to make at least 10-15 paper beads. The teacher encourages pupils to use different coloured papers to create variety.

STEP 3: Preparing Seed Beads (8 minutes)

Working with Seeds: The teacher explains that most pupils brought seeds that are already dry from the assignment. Now they’ll prepare them for use.

1. Selecting Seeds: Choose seeds that are firm and unbroken. Discard any that are cracked or too soft. Seeds of similar size work best for a neat look.
2. Checking for Holes: Some seeds like melon seeds have natural holes. For seeds without holes, the teacher (or older pupils under supervision) carefully makes holes using a thick needle. The teacher demonstrates how to hold the seed firmly and push the needle through slowly.
3. Optional Colouring: Some pupils might want to paint their seeds. Use poster colours or food colouring. Dip seeds in colour, remove and let dry on paper. This takes time, so natural seed colour is fine too.
4. Smoothing Rough Edges: If seeds feel rough, rub them gently with fine sandpaper. This is especially important for seeds that will touch the skin.

Practical Work: Pupils sort through their seeds, selecting the best ones. They test which seeds can be threaded easily. The teacher helps make holes in seeds that need them, working with small groups at a time for safety.

STEP 4: Preparing Wood Beads (7 minutes)

Working with Small Wood Pieces: The teacher explains that wooden beads are traditional and last very long. We can make simple ones from small wood pieces.

1. Selecting Wood Pieces: Use small pieces from broken matchsticks (remove the sulfur tip first), tiny twigs, or small wood chips. Each piece should be about 1-2 cm long.
2. Making Holes: This is the challenging part. The teacher demonstrates using a thin nail or drill bit to carefully make a hole through each wood piece. For safety, the teacher or a responsible adult does this part for younger pupils. Older pupils can try under close supervision.
3. Smoothing Wood: Use sandpaper to smooth all rough edges. Sand until the wood feels smooth to touch. Round off any sharp corners.
4. Optional Decoration: Wood can be left natural (brown colour), or pupils can paint them. Dark wood looks elegant. Bright colours make cheerful beads. Some pupils might want to draw tiny patterns on larger wood pieces using fine markers.

Practical Work: Pupils smooth their wood pieces with sandpaper. The teacher moves around making holes in wood beads for pupils who need help. Pupils who finish early can paint their wood beads if materials are available.

STEP 5: Assembling the Jewellery (12 minutes)

Now comes the exciting part – putting it all together!

Threading the Beads:

1. Measure Your String: For a bracelet, measure around your wrist and add 5 cm extra for tying. For a necklace, measure around your neck and add 10 cm extra. Cut the thread or fishing line to this length.
2. Secure One End: Tie a large knot at one end, or tie a small bead that will act as a stopper. This prevents other beads from falling off while you work.
3. Thread the Needle: If using thread, thread your needle. If using fishing line or thin wire, you might be able to thread beads directly without a needle.
4. Create Your Pattern: Think about how you want to arrange your beads. Some pattern ideas:
   1. Alternating: paper, seed, wood, paper, seed, wood
   2. Grouped: three paper beads, two seeds, one wood, repeat
   3. Random mix: different combinations for a natural look
   4. Colour pattern: red paper, yellow seed, red paper, yellow seed
   5. Size pattern: big, small, small, big, small, small
5. Start Threading: Carefully push the needle through each bead hole. Slide the bead down to join the others. Continue until you’ve used enough beads to fit around your wrist or neck comfortably. Leave space for the knot at the end.
6. Finishing: When your jewellery is the right length, remove the needle. Tie the two ends of the thread together with a strong double knot. Trim any excess thread. Test the knot by pulling gently to make sure it’s secure.

Teacher’s Guidance: The teacher helps pupils who struggle with threading. Some pupils may need pre-threaded needles. The teacher encourages creativity in pattern-making while ensuring pupils create wearable items that won’t fall apart.

EVALUATION (3 minutes)

The teacher walks around examining each pupil’s work and asking:

1. Which type of bead did you find easiest to make?
2. What pattern did you use in your jewellery?
3. What was the most challenging part of this activity?
4. If you were to make another piece, what would you do differently?

Pupils try on their completed jewellery. The teacher takes a group photo of pupils wearing their creations.

CONCLUSION

The teacher congratulates everyone on their completed jewellery. The teacher displays all the items on a table for a mini exhibition. Pupils walk around admiring each other’s work. The teacher points out particularly creative designs and neat workmanship. The teacher reminds pupils: “You have learned a valuable skill today. You can now make gifts for family and friends, or even sell your beadwork to earn money in the future. Many successful Nigerian artisans started exactly like this – making simple jewellery by hand.”