09 May - Weaving - 4th grade

Objectives:

to reinforce familiarity with weaving processes to gain experience in working creatively with a variety of tactile materials

materials:

cardboard looms

plastic needles or craft sticks

feathers

yarn

raffia

small sticks or branches

any other fiber or natural items you wish to incorporate

procedure:

-Present brief history of weaving: Weaving has its roots in basket making, and is a skill that was mastered a very long time ago. Man had learned to weave as early as the New Stone Age. From the fibers of the flax plant, he had learned to weave linen cloth. Archaeologists discovered an image of a loom on a pottery dish that dates from 4400 B.C. It was found in an Egyptian tomb. As long ago as 1766 B.C. the Chinese developed a complicated loom for weaving silk. About the same time, the people of India discovered how to make cloth from the fibers of the cotton plant. As soon as people discovered how to create fabric, they figured out ways to cross the different threads to make beautiful patterns.

Colorful tapestries were woven in Persia, and later in Europe.

Weaving consists of arranging a group of lengthwise threads in rows, very close together. Crosswise threads are then laced over and under the vertical threads. Ancient weavers strung the lengthwise threads on a frame, and passed the crosswise threads over and under them with a shuttle (similar to a large needle). Until the late 1700's, most people produced their own cloth at home.

– demonstrate how to warp loom (see attached instructions) using yarn

– students warp their looms

– demonstrate basic weaving technique, how to switch yarn colors, how to incorporate natural items

– after students have worked on their weaving for a while, demonstrate how to remove piece from loom, and finish ends

– wrap up/ critique and cleanup