Construction and Mending of Fishing Gears for SS 3

Class: SSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Fisheries
Topic: Construction and Mending of Fishing Gears
Subject Matter: Construction and mending of the gears; Practical

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify tools and materials used for constructing and mending fishing gears.
• Describe basic techniques for constructing fishing gears.
• Explain methods of mending damaged fishing gears.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of proper fishing gear maintenance.
• Value the practical skills involved in gear construction and mending.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate basic knot tying for fishing nets.
• Show how to form a mesh for a fishing net.
• Practically mend a simple tear in a fishing net.

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 Fisheries textbook for SSS 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Samples of different fishing nets (e.g., cast net, gill net)
• Fishing lines of various thicknesses
• Netting needles (shuttles)
• Twine or nylon thread
• Scissors or a small knife
• Measuring tape
• Diagrams or charts illustrating different knots and mending techniques

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson provides students with essential practical skills in constructing and mending fishing gears, which are crucial for effective fishing operations. It helps students understand the importance of maintaining their equipment, thereby enhancing their productivity and reducing operational costs. These skills also offer potential for self-employment and entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of different types of fishing gears and their components.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Construction and Mending of Fishing Gears

Tools and Materials for Fishing Gear Construction and Mending

The following are common tools and materials used:

1. Netting Needles (Shuttles): Used to carry the twine and weave it through the net.
2. Twine/Nylon Thread: The material used to construct or mend the net, chosen based on the target fish size and water conditions.
3. Scissors/Knife: For cutting twine and trimming excess material.
4. Measuring Tape/Gauge: Used to ensure uniform mesh size during construction or mending.
5. Net Samples/Damaged Nets: For practical demonstrations and mending exercises.
6. Fishing Lines: Used for constructing or mending parts of fishing gears like hooks and lines.

Basic Techniques for Constructing Fishing Gears

Construction of fishing gears often involves:

1. Knot Tying: Essential for securing meshes and joining lines. Common knots include the sheet bend, reef knot, and fisherman’s bend.
2. Mesh Formation: Creating uniform openings (meshes) in the net using a netting needle and a gauge. The size of the mesh determines the size of fish that can be caught.
3. Braiding/Weaving: Interlacing twine to form the net fabric.
4. Attaching Floats and Sinkers: Floats are attached to the headrope to keep the net buoyant, while sinkers are attached to the footrope to keep it submerged.

Methods of Mending Damaged Fishing Gears

Mending damaged fishing gears is important to prolong their lifespan and maintain efficiency. Common methods include:

1. Patching: Replacing a damaged section of the net with a new piece of net material of the same mesh size and twine thickness. The new patch is carefully sewn into the existing net.
2. Re-braiding/Re-weaving: Carefully re-interlacing broken strands of twine to repair small tears or holes without replacing an entire section.
3. Knotting: Tying off broken strands with appropriate knots to prevent further unraveling, especially for minor damages.
4. Reinforcement: Adding extra twine or material to weak points to prevent future damage.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and reviews the previous lesson on types of fishing gears. The teacher then introduces the topic by asking students about the importance of maintaining fishing equipment and what happens if nets get torn. The teacher states the lesson topic: “Construction and Mending of Fishing Gears.”

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to questions, share their ideas, and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.

Learning Point: Importance of gear maintenance

Step 2: Identification of Tools and Materials

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various tools and materials such as netting needles, twine, scissors, and samples of fishing nets. The teacher names each item and explains its use in construction and mending.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the tools and materials, identify them, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Fishing gear tools identified

Step 3: Demonstration of Basic Knot Tying

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to tie basic knots relevant to net construction and mending (e.g., sheet bend, reef knot) using twine. The teacher guides students through the steps.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the demonstration carefully and then practice tying the knots with the provided twine under the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Basic knot tying skills

Step 4: Demonstration of Mesh Formation

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to form a uniform mesh using a netting needle and a gauge (if available, or by eye). The teacher explains the importance of mesh size.

Pupils’ Activity: Students watch the demonstration and, if materials permit, attempt to form simple meshes.

Learning Point: Uniform mesh formation

Step 5: Identifying Damaged Gear and Mending Methods

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows samples of damaged fishing nets (e.g., small tears, holes) and explains different methods of mending: patching, re-braiding, and simple knotting. The teacher describes when each method is appropriate.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the damaged nets and listen to the explanations of mending methods.

Learning Point: Mending methods explained

Step 6: Demonstration of Mending Techniques

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Guidance

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to mend a small tear in a net using a netting needle and twine, focusing on either patching or re-braiding a simple hole. The teacher provides clear, step-by-step instructions.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the mending demonstration and, if materials are available, attempt to mend a small tear on a practice net.

Learning Point: Practical net mending

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. Mention two tools used for mending fishing gears.
2. Demonstrate how to tie a simple knot used in net construction.
3. What is patching in the context of net mending?
4. Why is it important to mend damaged fishing gears promptly?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding gear construction/mending

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 into their notebooks, ensuring key terms and techniques are correctly recorded.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly recaps the main points of the lesson, emphasizing the practical skills learned in constructing and mending fishing gears and their importance for successful fishing.

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

Learning Point: Lesson summary

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practical Exercise

Instruction: Answer the following questions and complete the practical task:

1. List three materials needed for constructing a simple fishing net.
2. Describe the process of patching a small hole in a fishing net.
3. Practice tying a sheet bend and a reef knot at home and be ready to demonstrate them in the next class.
4. If possible, obtain a small piece of old net or fabric and attempt to mend a small tear using any of the methods discussed.

Lesson Keywords

• Netting needle – A tool used to carry twine and weave it through the net.
• Twine – Strong thread or string used for making or mending nets.
• Mesh – The opening or space between the knots in a net.
• Knot – An interlacement of rope or twine forming a fastening or a lump.
• Mending – The act of repairing or fixing something that is damaged.
• Patching – Repairing a hole or tear by covering it with a piece of material.
• Gill net – A type of fishing net that catches fish by their gills.
• Cast net – A circular net with weights around its edge, designed to be cast by hand.

Differentiation

For learners who grasp concepts quickly, challenge them to construct a small section of a net or demonstrate more complex mending techniques. For learners needing more support, provide simplified diagrams, one-on-one guidance during practical sessions, and allow extra time for practicing basic knots.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search YouTube for:

• “Fishing net construction tutorial”
• “How to mend a fishing net”
• “Basic knots for fishing nets”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have all the necessary instructional materials, especially actual samples of fishing nets, netting needles, twine, and scissors. The success of this lesson relies heavily on practical demonstration and guided practice. Arrange the classroom to allow for hands-on activities, ensuring students have enough space to work. When demonstrating knot tying and mesh formation, go slowly, repeating steps as needed, and provide individual assistance. Emphasise safety precautions when students are handling scissors or knives. During the note-taking stage (Step 8), guide students to copy the Board Summary accurately. Regularly check for understanding throughout the practical sessions and address any misconceptions immediately. Encourage all students to participate actively in the practical exercises, providing extra support for those who struggle and challenging faster learners with more complex tasks.