ElementaryWeaving Tips

Last month on The smARTteacher, I wanted to create a resource for the Blick Challenge and figured I'd try something different than a lesson plan.  I put together a document with a list of which weaving skills/projects I introduce at each grade level and tips I've picked up and used for teaching weaving. The document is available to download here: http://www.thesmartteacher.com/exchange/resource/1628/Elementary-Weaving-Plan-and-Tips

Plan for Introducing Weaving

Kindergarten	Understand basic over-under pattern. Demonstrate weaving process then give small groups a precut paper loom and weaving strips. Students work together, taking turns to weave strips through paper until loom is full.
1st Grade	Paper Weaving- fold paper loom and weave precut strips over/under. Talk about color choices.
2nd Grade	Techniques for dressing up paper weaving- weaving through painted paper, stacking skinny strips on top of thick strips, cuts that curve or zigzag for warp or weft, stamping over finished weaving, collage on top of weaving.
3rd Grade	Introduce yarn weaving on loom- warping loom, weaving, switching colors, removing weaving from loom.
4th Grade	Loom weaving techniques- patterning, zigzag, holes and reconnecting.
5th/6th Grade	Radial weaving on CD or plate.

Tips for Teaching Weaving

·  Connect weaving to math by talking about AB patterns.

·   Store precut weaving strips sorted by color in toilet paper tubes inside a box.

·   If cutting larger paper to a smaller size, cut scraps into 1 inch strips for weaving.

·   Create a weaving poster with small paper models illustrating the steps.

·   When teaching students to cut paper looms, after they fold paper in half, draw or trace a line about an inch from the open end and write “STOP!” so that students remember to stop cutting at that point.

·   Cut thin strips of paper that students can label with their name and class code and weave through the yarn on loom projects.

·   Display yarn weaving projects by centering on top of construction paper and securing with one or two staples. The staples can be easily removed without damaging the project when it goes home. Students can write their names on the front of the paper for the hallway display.

·  When weaving on round looms, make sure students have an odd number of warp strands. For CDs, 13, 15, or 17 work well.  If students accidentally warp an even number, push two strands close together and treat them as one to correct the problem.

  CD weaving projects can be hooked together with paper clips in a grid pattern which makes a striking collaborative display.