Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 2
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Garment Making
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: The Sewing Machine.
Topic: CARE OF SEWING MACHINE
Subject Matter: Selection of sewing machine, Daily care, Routine maintenance

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define care of a sewing machine.
List factors to consider when selecting a sewing machine.
Describe the daily care procedures for a sewing machine.
Explain routine maintenance practices for a sewing machine.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of proper care for sewing machines.
Willingly participate in the daily cleaning and maintenance of a sewing machine.

Psychomotor Domain:

Demonstrate simple daily care activities on a sewing machine.
Identify parts of a sewing machine that require routine maintenance.

Work cooperatively with peers during practical care activities.
Communicate effectively about the steps involved in machine care.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Home Economics.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools.
Adepoju, A.O. (2018). Home Economics for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1. University Press PLC.
Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria
Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A functional sewing machine
Duster/soft cloth
Machine oil
Small brush
Screwdriver set
Sample servicing items

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how to maintain sewing machines, which extends their lifespan and ensures they function correctly. Knowing how to care for machines is important for practical skills and for preventing costly repairs, making pupils more capable in garment making.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of the parts of a sewing machine and how to operate it.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

CARE OF SEWING MACHINE

Selection of Sewing Machine

Selecting the right sewing machine is important for ease of use and durability. Factors to consider include:

Purpose: What type of sewing will be done (e.g., domestic, industrial, heavy-duty)?
Features: Desired stitches, speed control, automatic threading, buttonhole options.
Brand reputation: Reliable brands often offer better quality and after-sales service.
Budget: The cost of the machine and available accessories.
Ease of use: Simple controls and clear instructions are helpful, especially for beginners.
Maintenance: How easy it is to clean and maintain the machine.

Daily Care of Sewing Machine

Daily care involves simple steps performed regularly to keep the machine in good working condition. These include:

Cleaning: Dust the machine thoroughly with a soft cloth or duster after each use.
Brushing: Use a small brush to remove lint and thread bits from the bobbin area and feed dogs.
Covering: Cover the machine with a dust cover when not in use to protect it from dust and debris.
Thread removal: Remove the needle and bobbin thread when finishing work for the day.
Proper storage: Store the machine in a dry, safe place.

Routine Maintenance of Sewing Machine

Routine maintenance involves more detailed care performed periodically (e.g., weekly, monthly) to ensure the machine runs smoothly and prevent major breakdowns. This includes:

Oiling/Lubrication: Apply a few drops of sewing machine oil to designated oiling points, as indicated in the machine’s manual. This reduces friction between moving parts.
Cleaning under the needle plate: Remove the needle plate and clean out lint and dust from the feed dogs and hook area.
Checking tension: Ensure the upper and bobbin thread tensions are correctly set for balanced stitches.
Examining needle: Replace bent or dull needles to prevent skipped stitches or fabric damage.
Tightening screws: Periodically check and tighten any loose screws, especially around the needle clamp and presser foot.
Professional servicing: Arrange for professional servicing at least once a year for thorough cleaning and adjustment.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to recall the basic parts of a sewing machine and its uses. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Care of Sewing Machine,” explaining that knowing how to use a machine is not enough, but proper care is also important.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions about sewing machine parts and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils connect previous knowledge to the new topic and understand the relevance of machine care.

Step 2: Selection of Sewing Machine

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the various factors to consider when selecting a sewing machine, explaining why each factor is important (e.g., purpose, features, budget, ease of use). The teacher may show pictures of different types of machines.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and contribute to the discussion by sharing their ideas on machine selection.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the criteria for choosing an appropriate sewing machine.

Step 3: Daily Care of Sewing Machine

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and demonstrates the daily care procedures for a sewing machine, such as dusting, brushing lint from the bobbin area, and covering the machine. The teacher emphasizes the importance of performing these steps after each use.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can identify the steps involved in daily machine care.

Step 4: Routine Maintenance of Sewing Machine

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the routine maintenance practices, including oiling specific points, cleaning under the needle plate, checking tension, and replacing dull needles. The teacher demonstrates how to apply oil and clean the hook area if possible.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration, noting the areas for oiling and cleaning, and ask questions about the frequency of these tasks.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the detailed steps for routine machine maintenance.

Step 5: Practical Activity/Pupil Engagement

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify the oiling points and areas for cleaning on a sewing machine. Pupils, under supervision, practice dusting and brushing lint from the accessible parts of the machine.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate in identifying parts and practicing basic cleaning steps.
Learning Point: Pupils gain hands-on experience in applying machine care knowledge.

Step 6: Class Discussion and Reinforcement

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Clarification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a brief discussion to reinforce key learning points, asking pupils to summarize the differences between daily care and routine maintenance. The teacher clarifies any misconceptions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer questions, share their summaries, and ask for further clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding of the lesson content.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define “care of a sewing machine.”
Mention three factors to consider when selecting a sewing machine.
List two daily care practices for a sewing machine.
Explain two routine maintenance practices for a sewing machine.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson by reiterating the importance of proper sewing machine care for its longevity and efficient operation. The teacher then assigns homework, asking pupils to draw a sewing machine and label at least three areas that require oiling.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils have a clear understanding of the lesson’s main points and an assignment to reinforce learning.

Lesson Keywords

Sewing Machine – A machine used to stitch fabric and other materials together with thread.
Daily Care – Simple maintenance tasks performed regularly, usually after each use, to keep a machine clean.
Routine Maintenance – More detailed and periodic tasks, such as oiling and cleaning hidden parts, to ensure the long-term smooth operation of a machine.
Lubrication – The process of applying oil or grease to reduce friction between moving parts.
Lint – Small fibers and dust particles that accumulate during sewing.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research different types of sewing machine oils and their properties. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide closer supervision during practical activities and offer simplified explanations, pairing them with more capable peers for collaborative learning.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure a functional sewing machine is available for demonstration. Emphasize safety precautions when handling tools and oil. Encourage pupils to bring their machine manuals if available, as oiling points and specific care instructions can vary between models. Practical demonstration and hands-on activity are important for effective learning in this topic.