Types of Bonds and Bonding Practical for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Block Laying, Brick Laying and Concrete Work
Topic: BONDING PRACTICAL
Subject Matter: Drawing/ practical

Previous Lesson: Interpreting Bond Drawings

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify various types of bonds used in block/brick laying.
• State the principles of good bonding.
• Explain the steps involved in drawing different types of bonds.
• Explain the steps involved in practical bonding with blocks/bricks.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of correct bonding for structural stability.
• Adhere to safety rules and guidelines during practical bonding activities.

Psychomotor Domain

• Draw accurately at least two different types of bonds.
• Demonstrate the practical laying of at least two different types of bonds using blocks/bricks and mortar.

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 Block Laying and Brick Laying textbook for SS 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Drawing board, T-square, set squares, pencils, eraser, drawing paper, ruler
• Prepared charts or diagrams showing various types of bonds
• Actual blocks/bricks (e.g., sandcrete blocks, clay bricks)
• Mortar (cement, sand, water mixture)
• Trowel, spirit level, measuring tape, plumb rule
• Safety gloves and goggles

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it provides students with essential practical skills in block/brick laying. Understanding and correctly applying bonding principles ensures the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of walls. It prepares students for future careers in construction and related fields by equipping them with fundamental trade skills.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of block/brick laying tools and materials, and an understanding of basic construction terminology.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

BONDING PRACTICAL

What is Bonding?

Bonding in block or brick laying refers to the systematic arrangement of blocks or bricks in a wall to ensure stability, strength, and aesthetic appearance. It involves overlapping units in successive courses to distribute loads and prevent vertical joints from aligning.

Importance of Bonding

1. It provides stability and strength to the wall structure.
2. It distributes the load evenly throughout the wall.
3. It prevents the formation of continuous vertical joints, which are weak points.
4. It enhances the aesthetic appearance of the wall.

Principles of Good Bonding

1. Overlap: Each block/brick in a course should overlap the units in the course below by at least one-quarter of its length (for blocks) or half of its length (for bricks) to avoid continuous vertical joints.
2. Continuity: The bond should be continuous throughout the wall.
3. Perpends: Vertical joints (perpends) in alternate courses should align vertically.
4. Use of Closers: Closers (e.g., queen closer, king closer) are used to start or end a course to achieve the required overlap and maintain perpends.

Common Types of Bonds

1. Stretcher Bond: All blocks/bricks are laid as stretchers (with their longest face exposed) in every course. Used for half-brick/block walls or partition walls.
2. Header Bond: All blocks/bricks are laid as headers (with their shortest face exposed) in every course. Used for thick walls where strength is paramount.
3. English Bond: Alternating courses of headers and stretchers. Headers are placed centrally over the stretchers in the course below. Considered very strong.
4. Flemish Bond: Each course consists of alternating headers and stretchers. Headers are placed centrally over the stretchers in the course below. Provides a more decorative appearance than English bond.

Drawing Bonds

Tools and Materials for Drawing

1. Drawing board
2. T-square and Set squares (45°, 30°/60°)
3. Pencils (HB, 2H)
4. Eraser
5. Drawing paper
6. Ruler and Measuring tape

Steps for Drawing a Stretcher Bond (Plan View)

1. Draw two parallel lines to represent the thickness of the wall.
2. Mark out the length of the blocks/bricks along one line.
3. Mark out the width of the mortar joints (e.g., 10mm).
4. Draw vertical lines to represent the perpends of the blocks/bricks, ensuring they are staggered in alternate courses to create the overlap.
5. Label the blocks/bricks as “Stretcher”.

Steps for Drawing an English Bond (Plan View)

1. Draw two parallel lines for the wall thickness.
2. For the first course, draw alternating full-length blocks/bricks (stretchers) and half-length blocks/bricks (headers) along the line, ensuring a queen closer is placed next to the corner header.
3. For the second course, draw full-length blocks/bricks (stretchers) along the line, ensuring they overlap the headers and stretchers of the first course.
4. Alternate these two courses throughout the drawing, ensuring perpends are maintained.
5. Label the blocks/bricks as “Stretcher” and “Header”.

Practical Bonding

Tools and Materials for Practical Bonding

1. Blocks/Bricks
2. Mortar (cement, sand, water)
3. Trowel
4. Spirit level
5. Measuring tape
6. Plumb rule
7. String line and pins
8. Safety gloves and goggles

Steps for Laying a Stretcher Bond

1. Prepare the foundation or base course, ensuring it is level and clean.
2. Mix the mortar to a workable consistency.
3. Lay a bed of mortar for the first course.
4. Place the first block/brick (stretcher) firmly onto the mortar bed.
5. Apply mortar to the head joint of the next block/brick before placing it against the first, ensuring a consistent joint thickness.
6. Continue laying stretchers, ensuring each block/brick is level and aligned using a spirit level and string line.
7. For the second course, start with a half block/brick (or a full block/brick shifted by half its length) to create the required overlap.
8. Continue laying stretchers, ensuring vertical joints (perpends) of alternate courses align.
9. Scrape off excess mortar and tool the joints for a neat finish.

Steps for Laying an English Bond

1. Prepare the foundation and mix mortar.
2. For the first course (header course), lay headers along the wall line. At the corner, place a queen closer next to the first header to ensure proper bond.
3. For the second course (stretcher course), lay stretchers along the wall line, ensuring they overlap the headers below.
4. Ensure the vertical joints of the stretchers in the stretcher course are in line with the centre of the headers in the header course below.
5. Alternate between header courses and stretcher courses, maintaining consistent joint thickness and using a spirit level and plumb rule for accuracy.
6. Scrape off excess mortar and tool the joints.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they know about the importance of strong walls in buildings. The teacher then introduces the topic “Bonding Practical” and explains that they will learn how to draw and practically lay different types of bonds.

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

Learning Point: Introduction to bonding

Step 2: Explanation of Bonds

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses charts or diagrams to explain what bonding is, its importance, and the principles of good bonding (overlap, perpends, use of closers). The teacher also briefly introduces common types of bonds like Stretcher, Header, English, and Flemish bonds.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the diagrams, listen to the explanations, and ask questions for clarity.

Learning Point: Principles of bonding

Step 3: Demonstration of Drawing Bonds

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates on a large drawing board how to draw a Stretcher Bond and an English Bond in plan view, explaining each step clearly (setting up, marking dimensions, drawing perpends, using closers). The teacher emphasizes accuracy and neatness.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully, noting the techniques and steps involved in drawing the bonds.

Learning Point: Drawing bond techniques

Step 4: Guided Drawing Practice

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Supervision

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes drawing materials and guides students to draw a Stretcher Bond and an English Bond on their drawing papers. The teacher moves around the classroom, providing individual assistance and correcting errors.

Pupils’ Activity: Students practice drawing the bonds under the teacher’s guidance, applying the techniques demonstrated.

Learning Point: Accurate bond drawing

Step 5: Demonstration of Practical Bonding

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Demonstration/Safety Instruction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher moves to the practical area, ensures safety precautions are observed, and demonstrates how to lay a Stretcher Bond and an English Bond using actual blocks/bricks and mortar. The teacher explains the use of tools like trowel, spirit level, and string line, emphasizing consistent mortar joints and correct overlap.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the practical demonstration, paying attention to tool handling, mortar application, and bond formation. They ask questions about the practical steps.

Learning Point: Practical bonding demonstration

Step 6: Guided Practical Bonding

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Supervision/Feedback

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into small groups and guides them to perform practical bonding for a Stretcher Bond and an English Bond. The teacher supervises closely, provides feedback, and ensures students handle tools safely and apply correct bonding principles.

Pupils’ Activity: Students, in groups, practice laying the bonds, applying the demonstrated techniques and receiving feedback from the teacher.

Learning Point: Hands-on bonding 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. What is the main purpose of bonding in block/brick laying?
2. Name two principles of good bonding.
3. Demonstrate how to draw a Stretcher Bond on the board.
4. Show practically how to lay the first two courses of an English Bond.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of bonding skills

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 bonding principles, drawing steps, and practical laying steps into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Reinforcing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key learning points about drawing and practically laying different types of bonds, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and safety in construction.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson’s main points.

Learning Point: Reinforcement of bonding concepts

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Complete the following tasks for further practice and understanding:

1. Draw a detailed plan view of a Flemish Bond, showing at least three courses.
2. Research and write a short paragraph on the importance of using a spirit level and plumb rule during block/brick laying.
3. If possible, practice laying a small section of a Stretcher Bond using scrap blocks/bricks and mortar at home or in the workshop.

Lesson Keywords

• Bond – The arrangement of blocks or bricks in a wall.
• Bonding – The process of arranging blocks or bricks to form a strong and stable wall.
• Stretcher – A block/brick laid with its longest face exposed.
• Header – A block/brick laid with its shortest face exposed.
• Queen Closer – A half-width block/brick used to maintain bond at corners or openings.
• King Closer – A block/brick cut diagonally to maintain bond.
• Course – A continuous horizontal layer of blocks/bricks in a wall.
• Quoin – The external corner of a wall.
• Perpends – The vertical joints in block/brick work.
• Mortar – A mixture of cement, sand, and water used to bind blocks/bricks.

Differentiation

For students who grasp the concepts quickly, challenge them to draw and explain more complex bond patterns like the Garden Wall Bond or Rat-trap Bond. Provide additional individual guidance and simplified drawing templates for students who are struggling with accuracy in drawing or practical application, focusing on one bond type at a time.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further visual learning, students can search on YouTube for:

• “Block Laying Bonds Practical SS3”
• “Brick Bonding Techniques Explained”
• “How to Draw Brick Bonds”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before teaching, ensure all drawing instruments are available and in good condition. For the practical session, prepare a suitable, clear area and have all blocks/bricks, mortar, and tools ready. Emphasize safety throughout the practical demonstration and guided practice. Begin by clearly explaining the theory of bonding, using visual aids to make it concrete. Follow this with a step-by-step demonstration of drawing bonds, then allow students to practice under your supervision. Transition to the practical demonstration, highlighting safe tool handling and correct laying techniques. Students should then engage in guided practical bonding. Encourage peer support within groups. During Step 8, ensure students copy the Board Summary accurately. Pay close attention to common errors in drawing (e.g., misaligned perpends, incorrect overlaps) and in practical work (e.g., inconsistent mortar joints, uneven courses), providing immediate corrective feedback. For faster learners, assign additional bond patterns to draw or lay. For weaker learners, provide more one-on-one assistance during both drawing and practical activities, focusing on mastering one bond type before moving to another.