First grade.
All students in the first grade are knitting! We are looking carefully as we knit to not lose any sheep (drop stitches) or accidently take sheep from a neighbor’s pastures (add stitches).It is fun when the students say how they took a neighbor's sheep by mistake or ask where is their sheep if they drop a stitch. Using this type of imagery is very helpful to students learning a new skill.
All students completed their first knitting project, each making a small pocket with a strap. We have a school tradition in which students from an older grade make a small gnome for the first graders finished pockets. This year, Ki Gaby's third and fourth graders made the pocket gnomes. It is sweet as these older students recall when they made their first pocket project in first grade and received a gnome from an older class. Such special memories!
Second grade.
The second-grade class is full of hard-working knitters! They often ask me to skip the opening verse so they can start knitting as soon as class begins (we do the verse anyway ;). They all are working to firmly establish their knitting skills, learn new stitches, and work on new projects.
For our gnome project, the students learn how to knit and purl. We look at the difference it makes when you knit one row and purl one row. Working toward the end goal of a finished gnome helps keep the students motivated and they enjoy the processes hey are learning.
Third and fourth grade.
For the past few years, our school has created a tradition in which an older grades’s class makes a special gift of small gnome babies for the first grade students once they have completed their first knitting project (a small pocket with a strap). This year the third/fourth grade students made the pocket gnomes for the first graders.
While we were working, some students remembered when they got something special for their first knitting project. Some of the students also wanted to make a pocket baby for themselves too. Another lovely part about this process was that many from our class have siblings in the first grade. These students chose to make a pocket baby for their younger brother or sister; a sweet gesture.
More on third grade.
All students are crocheting circle-shape projects. Every student has their own work rhythm. They will progress through theses projects during the semester: penny whistle holder, hat, and indoor frisbee.
After the February break, we will pause crocheting and learn about fibers. Someone whispered to me that we might go on a spring field trip to visit Angora goats! Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!
More on fourth grade.
All students work so effortlessly that our lesson speeds past us, and we can not believe it is time to end each class. All students have have all finished their scissor holders and needle holders and are now working on their handwork bags. For their handwork bags, they have to design their monogram (initials) on paper which they will then transfer on their bags and finish the project by embroidering them. After our handwork bags, we will move to our cross-stitch projects.
Fifth grade.
We took a break from our socks knitting project as all students were working on the Chinese New Year puppet show puppets. Each student made their animal, cutting the felt shapes, hand stitching these patterns into forms, adding details, stuffing and, along the way, helped each other when needed. It was a great opportunity to remember all the sewing skills from last year.
The puppet show was a wonderful experience for them to write, make, and perform. Fifth grade shared a beautiful project with all the school students. Next, we will return back to the traditional fifth grade knitting project of a pair of socks.
Warmly,
Ki Ieva
