Dear Families,
It's always so exciting to start a new school year. In the beginning, it seems to move slowly, but by the end of the school year, the students and I will have started and finished many projects. Each grade begins the year with a simple warm-up project to complete in class.
First Grade
We started the year by learning how to make a knot and slip knot, finger chain, and wind the yarn ball. The next project was wet felting math mats, which the students will use in their classwork.
Next, we will slowly move toward knitting, and each will make their own knitting needles! If you'd like your child to practice at home, a lovely incentive is to give them a small basket or box with some yarn. They can use the string or yarn to practice finger chaining or knotting.
Second and Third Grade
We started the year by making beanbags—one for the class and one for themselves. A beanbag, or rice bag, is a great project for learning simple sewing stitches. With a beanbag, you can play multiple games, or it can be used to soothe: warm it up or put it in the freezer.
In class, I explained that if a beanbag has a hole, students can bring it to school to sew it up. I’m encouraging students to try to fix things whenever possible.
After the beanbag project, we will move to grade-level projects. When a student finishes their project from the previous year, Second graders will move on to making four-legged animals, and Third graders will begin learning to crochet.
Fourth and Fifth Grade
We started the year by sewing small drawstring bags, which students use in class. Students learned how to piece small pieces of fabric together on one side of the bag. It was fun for everyone, and each bag looks unique and special.
After the bag project, students will move on to their grade-specific projects. Fourth graders will learn embroidery and cross-stitch, while Fifth graders will learn how to knit and purl, eventually progressing to knitting fingerless gloves or socks.
Sixth and Seventh Grade
We started the year by making freestyle sewn bookmarks. After the bookmarks, we moved on to wet felting flute holders. Each one was unique and fun to make.
After the flute holders, we will sew different types of coasters, which will involve some collaborative work with their geometry and math studies. Students will also finish their projects from the previous year before moving on to their grade-specific projects.
Seventh grade is working on Liza’s loom. Each of the students sketched their designs, and then we voted to select the final design. Rory's design won. We are using colored yarn to string it and weave it in the loom. You are welcome to come down by the pond near the farm to see our progress.
Warmly,
Ki Ieva
