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Basic hair styles Ponytail and Basic hair styles Braids for JSS 1

JSS 1 Beauty And Cosmetology lesson on basic hair styles Ponytail and Basic hair styles Braids. The lesson covers the stated curriculum content, enriched explanations, skills, activities and performance objectives.

Royal AlikorByRoyal AlikorPublishedSep 7, 2026Reading9 minComments0

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

This lesson focuses on teaching students the practical skills of making basic hairstyles like ponytails, braids, buns, and simple twists. Ensure all necessary instructional materials, especially dummy heads, combs, and hair accessories, are available for demonstration and student practice. Emphasise hygiene and neatness throughout the practical sessions. By the end of the lesson, students should be able to confidently demonstrate how to create these basic hairstyles.

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 10
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Beauty and Cosmetology
Curriculum Theme: Hair care practices
Focal competence: Perform basic hairstyles
Key competencies/values: Communication; Collaboration; Responsibility
Skills:

  • Making simple hair styles

Previous Lesson: Basic ingredients
Topic: Making Basic Hairstyles
Subject Matter: Basic hair styles, Steps in making each hair style

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

  • Outline the steps in making each hair style.
  • Identify the steps in making each hair style.

Affective Domain

  • Appreciate the importance of neat and well-styled hair.
  • Demonstrate responsibility in handling hair styling tools.

Psychomotor Domain

  • Make basic hair styles e.g., ponytail, braids, bun, simple twist hair styles.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

  • 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
  • Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
  • A suitable textbook for JSS 1 Beauty and Cosmetology
  • The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

  • Photographs of different hairstyles
  • Dummy/mannequin head
  • Posters of hair styles
  • Comb
  • Hair brush
  • Hair bands/clips
  • Mirror
  • Functional laptop
  • Internet access

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it equips students with fundamental practical skills in hairstyling, which are essential for personal grooming and potential future careers in cosmetology. Mastering basic hairstyles promotes self-care and confidence, laying a foundation for more complex styling techniques.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of hair care practices and hygiene.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Making Basic Hairstyles

Ponytail

A ponytail is a simple hairstyle where all or most of the hair on the head is pulled away from the face, gathered, and secured at the back of the head with a hair tie.

Steps to Make a Ponytail
  1. Ensure the hair is clean, detangled, and dry.
  2. Brush all the hair smoothly upwards or backwards to the desired position (high, mid, or low).
  3. Gather the hair firmly with one hand.
  4. Use a hair tie to secure the gathered hair, wrapping it around the base of the ponytail until it is firm.
  5. Smooth out any loose strands with a comb or brush.
Quality Check for a Ponytail
  1. The ponytail should be neat and smooth, free from bumps.
  2. It should be securely fastened and not too tight to cause discomfort.
  3. All hair should be gathered, with no loose strands around the face or nape.

Basic Braids (Three-Strand Plait)

Basic braids, also known as a three-strand plait, involve interlacing three sections of hair to form a single, continuous strand.

Steps to Make Basic Braids
  1. Ensure the hair is clean, detangled, and dry.
  2. Take a section of hair and divide it into three equal strands: left (L), middle (M), and right (R).
  3. Cross the right strand (R) over the middle strand (M), so R becomes the new middle.
  4. Cross the left strand (L) over the new middle strand (R), so L becomes the new middle.
  5. Continue alternating by crossing the rightmost strand over the middle, then the leftmost strand over the middle, working your way down the hair section.
  6. Secure the end of the braid with a hair tie.
Quality Check for Basic Braids
  1. The braid should be consistent in tension and thickness from top to bottom.
  2. Each strand should be clearly defined and neatly interlaced.
  3. The braid should be firm but not pulling painfully on the scalp.

Bun Hairstyle

A bun is a hairstyle where the hair is gathered and twisted or coiled into a knot-like shape, typically at the back of the head or crown.

Steps to Make a Bun
  1. Ensure the hair is clean, detangled, and dry.
  2. Gather all the hair into a ponytail at the desired height (high, mid, or low). Secure it with a hair tie.
  3. Twist the ponytail tightly from the base to the ends.
  4. Coil the twisted hair around the base of the ponytail, forming a circular shape.
  5. Secure the bun with another hair tie or hairpins, tucking in any loose ends.
Quality Check for a Bun
  1. The bun should be firm and hold its shape without unraveling.
  2. It should be neat and smooth, with minimal flyaways.
  3. The bun should be positioned evenly and securely.

Simple Twist Hairstyle

A simple twist involves taking two sections of hair and twisting them around each other, creating a rope-like effect.

Steps to Make a Simple Twist
  1. Ensure the hair is clean, detangled, and dry.
  2. Take a section of hair and divide it into two equal strands.
  3. Twist each strand individually in the same direction (e.g., clockwise).
  4. Then, cross the two twisted strands over each other in the opposite direction (e.g., anti-clockwise) from the roots to the ends.
  5. Continue twisting and crossing until you reach the end of the hair section.
  6. Secure the end of the twist with a hair tie.
Quality Check for a Simple Twist
  1. The twist should be even and consistent in tension.
  2. It should be clearly defined, showing the two interlaced strands.
  3. The twist should be secure and not easily come undone.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them about different hairstyles they know or wear. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Making Basic Hairstyles” and explains that they will learn how to create some simple styles.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Prior knowledge activation

Step 2: Identification of Basic Hairstyles

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Observation/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays photographs or posters of different basic hairstyles (ponytail, braids, bun, simple twist) and asks students to identify them. The teacher also shows a dummy head with different styles.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the pictures and dummy head, identifying the various basic hairstyles shown.

Learning Point: Basic hairstyle identification

Step 3: Demonstration of Ponytail

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to make a ponytail on a dummy head, explaining each step clearly and slowly. The teacher highlights the importance of detangling and neatness.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully, paying attention to the steps and techniques.

Learning Point: Ponytail demonstration steps

Step 4: Guided Practice – Ponytail

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to practise making a ponytail on their dummy heads or on a partner’s hair (if appropriate and supervised). The teacher moves around, providing individual assistance and correction.

Pupils’ Activity: Students actively practice making ponytails, following the teacher’s guidance and asking questions where needed.

Learning Point: Ponytail practical application

Step 5: Demonstration of Braids (Three-Strand Plait)

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to make a basic three-strand braid on a dummy head, explaining the interlacing of the three sections. The teacher also briefly shows how to make a bun and a simple twist.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the demonstration of braids, bun, and simple twist, noting the differences in technique.

Learning Point: Braids demonstration steps

Step 6: Guided Practice – Braids, Bun, Simple Twist

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Work/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organises students into groups (as per activities) to practice making braids, buns, and simple twists on their dummy heads or partners. The teacher supervises and offers support.

Pupils’ Activity: Students work in groups, practicing the different hairstyles and helping each other.

Learning Point: Hair styling practice

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

  1. List the steps for making a ponytail.
  2. Demonstrate how to make a basic braid.
  3. What are two qualities of a well-made bun?
  4. Show how to create a simple twist.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Hairstyle making assessment

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on basic hairstyles and their steps into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Note-taking skills

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reiterating the importance of knowing basic hairstyles for personal grooming and potential careers. The teacher encourages students to continue practicing these skills at home.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the summary and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Basic hairstyles importance

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Practice making the following hairstyles at home and be prepared to demonstrate one in the next class:

  1. A neat ponytail.
  2. A basic three-strand braid.
  3. A simple bun.
  4. A simple twist.

Lesson Keywords

  • Ponytail – Hair gathered and secured at the back of the head.
  • Braids – Interlaced sections of hair, typically three strands.
  • Bun – Hair coiled into a knot-like shape.
  • Twist – Two sections of hair twisted around each other.
  • Mannequin head – A dummy head used for practicing hairstyling.

Differentiation

For slower learners, provide more one-on-one guidance during practical sessions and simplify the steps. For faster learners, encourage them to experiment with variations of the basic styles or attempt slightly more complex styles like a French braid if time permits.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further learning, search on YouTube for:

  • “How to make a basic ponytail for beginners”
  • “Easy 3 strand braid tutorial”
  • “Simple bun hairstyle tutorial”
  • “Basic two strand twist tutorial”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have all instructional materials ready, especially dummy heads, combs, hair ties, and hairbrushes for each student or group. If possible, have a functional laptop and internet access to show video clips as suggested in the activities. Begin by engaging students with questions about hairstyles they know. Demonstrate each hairstyle clearly, breaking down the steps. Allow ample time for guided practice, moving around the classroom to provide individual feedback and support. Emphasise hygiene and neatness throughout the practical work. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the practical demonstrations and evaluation. For weaker learners, provide extra assistance during practice. For faster learners, challenge them to perfect their styles or explore slight variations. Ensure the classroom is set up to allow for practical work and easy movement.

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Basic hair styles Ponytail and Basic hair styles Braids for JSS 1
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