My students need assorted colors of plastic lace, a craft book and lanyard hooks to create one-of-a-kind key rings, bracelets, and zipper pulls for their backpacks!
My students brighten my day and force me to get a good night's sleep every night just to keep up with them!
I am never bored teaching art to middle school students- just exhausted!
I love that I teach in an ethnically diverse school and that I can learn new things from my students-and be awed by their artistic creations with each project we do. My arts curriculum is full of multicultural and hands-on art projects that give my students an opportunity to design, build and create-not just draw and paint. My arts classroom is very diverse-and includes Gifted, English as a Second Language Learners, and special needs children with a variety of learning disabilities. I love that we all make art together in (mostly!) harmony and happiness. These young people may have different needs, challenges, and personal histories, yet the arts enable them to share a common thread, as they discover the magic and delight of making something beautiful with their own hands.
My Project
In this age of technology, traditional crafts such as weaving can be quite revolutionary! Middle schoolers often use their time -and their hands - texting or playing video games. But learning handwork such as weaving and knot making introduces them to a relaxing and tactile experience-one that improves focus and concentration, and is also a super fun way to interact with their peers!
Through this experience of weaving, knotting, and learning basic stitches such as the box, barrel, and the cobra, students gain self confidence and improve fine motor skills, while enjoying the pleasure of creating something cool and useful with their own hands.
With these colorful plastic laces, my students will have an unforgettable experience that brings them together as a learning community! Advanced students wow everyone with their multi strand complex creations, while beginners are eager to ask their fellow classmates for their expertise. By weaving together, they learn from each other, all the while creating beautiful handmade objects they will treasure forever!
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