Friday 8/23/2013

Well, this week has proven that the blog is still a work in progress.  While the classes went well, I only remembered to take pictures of the 4th grade class.  I'm sure it will all come together soon, but there are less pictures this week.

1st and 2nd Grade

We made God's Eyes this week.  It was so much fun watching each child's creativity come out.  Some preferred a simple look, while others were more elaborate.  I thought they all did a great job.  Those who finished early (not everyone did) got to make a sheep picture with real wool.  Those pictures went home with them, so look for them in their backpacks.

3rd and 4th Grade

This week we learned about wool, some of it's properties and how it is prepared before it is used.  The children got to touch lanolin, raw wool and washed wool.  Then each child got to try hand carders and a drum carder. 

Wool can be prepared by carding or combing.  I told the kids that I would post a picture of what wool combs look like, please share the picture below with them.
 

Some of them really enjoyed carding the fiber and asked where you can buy them.  Here is a link to the carders I bought for the class, I bought 90 TPI and the student size.  Everyone also got to make a sheep picture to take home along with the wool they carded. 

I have to say that I was so happy to see the enthusiasm that the kids had for what we were learning.  I mean, I think that working with wool and learning how it is processed is really cool, but there was a little part of me that worried the kids wouldn't think it was as fun and interesting as I did.  I was happily proven wrong, everyone was really interested in the lesson and it went really well.  I'm crossing my fingers for that to continue.

First Day of Class

1st and 2nd Grade

Friday we talked a little bit about what textiles are and what we will be doing in class this year and then we got right to the project.  The children traced their name in yarn and then followed the contour of their name with more yarn.  They seemed to enjoy the project and their pictures turned out really well. 

3rd and 4th Grade

3rd and 4th grade are separate classes, but follow the same curriculum.  On Friday we talked about how plant fibers were the first fibers used to make textiles and how rope was the first textile.  The children made a list of ways rope could be used to change their lives if they were cavemen.  Their lists were excellent and showed wonderful creativity.  

They each tested with their own plant fiber sample how a few fibers were weak, more fibers were stronger, but if you add twist to those fibers, they become nearly unbreakable.  I then gave them their fiber journals, which they will be using to record what they learn about this semester.  They filled out their plant fiber page and then got to decorate the cover of their journal with colored pencils, wool and glue.  The kids worked hard and the covers were all very unique.

It was a great first class and I think everyone is looking forward to more.  Several moms have asked how I developed the curriculum, it was with the help of several excellent books.  I will make a post about these books sometime in the near future so keep checking back.

Thank You!

I just want to give a big thank you to Schacht Spindle Company and Knit Picks. 

Schacht Spindle Company is an American company located in Colorado with a full line of fiber prep, spinning and weaving tools.  I believe it is the only American company to offer all these types of tools.  They are know for the quality of their product and I was so happy when they offered me an educator's discount on their looms.  Due to the discount I was able to buy four looms to use in our classroom this year.  I have a 10" Cricket loom, a 15" Cricket loom and 2 school looms.  I know the kids will have a lot of fun using these looms in class and look forward to introducing them in future lessons.

Knit Picks is an online yarn store that specializes in affordable natural fiber yarn.  I have ordered from them for years and have always enjoyed the products I have used.  When I found out I was teaching this class, I asked if they could donate some yarn for us to use.  They ended up sending a HUGE box of yarn for only the cost of shipping.  All our projects will be of better quality and the children will have a lot more color and fiber choices for their projects because of their donation.

Thank you so much for making this year's art class that much better!