Lesson I. Overview
Objective:
The student will be able to identify:
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1. The region we will be discussing, Equatoria.
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2. The Yoruba and people from Benin
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3. Preview the jewelry from this region
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4. The student will also be presented with an overview of each lesson that will cover jewelry-making.
Materials needed:
1. Map of Africa
2. Books on African jewelry
Procedure:
1. Discuss the area of Africa we will be working with
2. Discuss the climate and customs of the people
3. Questions and answers
4. Discuss in general how you plan to make the jewelry
5. Discuss what will happen for the next lesson.
Lesson II. Making the mold.
Objective:
The student will learn how to make and pour a plaster of paris mold.
Materials needed:
1. Plastic inserts from boxes will do. (approx. 2”x 12”)
2. Plastic drinking straws
3. Petroleum jelly (to lubricate straw)
4. Plaster of paris and mixing bowl with spout for pouring.
Procedure:
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1. Have students mix plaster of paris with water
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2. Have students prepare forms by placing a straw in each form and filling it with plaster.
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3. Set aside to harden.
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4. Discuss problems that arose and introduce next step.
Lesson III. History and design of jewelry
Objective:
The student will begin to understand the history behind the jewelry by discussing the jewelry they are making.
Materials needed:
1. Slides
2. Books on jewelry
3. Example of jewelry
4. Paper for designing
Procedure:
Show slides from Equatoria and discuss the designs that are used on jewelry from that area. Have the students break up into small groups to help each other come up with designs and jewelry pieces. (the molds that were previously made can be used for all the selections).
* This lesson should take 30-60 min.
Lesson IV. Filing and incising flewelry pieces
Objective:
The student will learn how to use incising tools and will also learn how to file the plaster.
Materials needed:
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1. Emery boards
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2. Incising tool (I use a tool that is made for getting the meat from the inside of walnuts).
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3. Designs made from previous lesson
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4. Plaster molds
Procedure:
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1. Trim plaster pieces and file
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2. Transfer design onto jewelry pieces
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3. Demonstrate incising techniques
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4. Have students start to incise their work
* This lesson should take approx. 60 min.
Lesson V. History and color theory
Objective:
The student will learn how the people from Equatoria used color by experimenting with the various dyes from plants, fruits and berries.
Materials needed:
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1. Berries, fruits and plants that exude juices that can be used as color and dyes.
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2. Sample of plaster for testing
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3. Books on color and dyes
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4. Brushes, water, etc. (materials needed for painting).
Procedure:
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1. Discuss the various plants, etc. that were used when jewelry was first being made and what can be used now.
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2. Experiment with these on sample pieces of plaster.
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3. Plan a color scheme for pieces
Lesson VI. Painting of jewelry
Objective:
The student will paint each part of his/her jewelry using a planned color scheme.
Materials needed:
1. Jewelry pieces
2. Brushes, water,etc.
Procedure:
1. The students will paint their pieces, using two coats of color for each piece.
Lesson VII. Putting the jewelry together
Objective:
The student will be able to put his/her jewelry together by using string or thin cording.
Materials needed:
1. Thin cording or string
2. a needle if string is being used
Procedure:
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1. Each piece needs to be strung and tied securely. This is repeated to the end and knotted or a set of hooks can be store bought and added to each end of necklace or bracelet.
Lesson VIII. Varnishing
Objective:
The student will complete his/her piece by varnishing it to protect the colors.
Materials needed:
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1. Varnish
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2. Brush (I prefer to use something like Q-Tips so I can discard them when finished).
Procedure:
Have the students brush on the varnish on one side of their piece and let dry. If time allows, varnish the other side. Let these pieces stay overnight to dry thoroughly.
The following two units will follow the same pattern as in unit I. The materials and techniques will be different.