Monday, June 9, 2008

Baby Bees





My favorite quarter of the school year is 4th quarter because that is when I teach fiber crafts.
These are fourth grade stitcheries. At the beginning of the lesson, the students looked at the symmetry of Native American weaving. They were instructed to use the idea of symmetry in their own designs. After sketching multiple ideas they painted their fabric with tempera paint. Finally, they embroidered designs which incorporated their painted designs and used at least nine different stitches.
I envy the kids as they get to work on stitching for multiple art classes. They seem to enjoy the feeling of working creatively with their hands and being social as they work. It reminds me of quilting bees.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

All I can say is they are very lucky to have such a fab' art teacher!

ZenCrafter said...

These are gorgeous! I wish my art teachers through the years had taught needlework. Is this state-mandated, or something you do because it's what you love?

Snippety Gibbet said...

Thank you, Patricia! We're mandated to teach stitchery to fourth graders. This lesson is a conglomeration of many I've seen over the years. The kids do love stitchery....and the boys as much as the girls.

daysease said...

Just lovely!! and boy do i remember that feeling of being in art class and getting to participate in so many fun and interesting projects. Loved the smell of the glue (not in the bad sense, people!), the sounds of busy scissors and those concentrated, furrowed brows trying to get it "just so". loved the colors and the final products. sigh... wonderful memories. miss art class. YOU ARE SO MUCH FUN!!! wish i could watch you in action and fine tune how i could teach it to my kids without panicking over the idea of them with needles. any sites where i can research it better, that you know of? maybe if i looked at the instructions step-by-step, i might be more brave about it. sorry for the bother. My kids would totally love it.

mayaluna said...

These are absolutely stunning! What a great teacher! I would love to do this with MY fourth grader. He got frustrated with knitting lessons...this might be the perfect summer project. Any tips on best stitches for this age group...or for that matter, anything else that comes to mind about inspiring fourth graders to work with their hands. That's a biggy...no pressure...but I bet it's a post many of us would appreciate:)

Anonymous said...

I agree with Mayaluna, this would be a great rainy day project with the boys! Are there specific instructions or should we just go for it? Your students work is daring and delightful!

Anonymous said...

It is beautiful ! I love them all !