Wednesday, April 16, 2014

In the Art Room: Circle Loom Weaving with Second Grade

When it comes to art lessons, I'm not much of a repeat offender. Since I like to change up the cultural theme of my art room every year, my lessons usually follow suit. However, I always have my 2nd grade create a circle loom weaving for a coupla reasons:

* It's excellent for building fine motor skillz and pumpin' up those wee hand muscles. And what kid doesn't want super strong man-hands?

* It's chock full o math connections: measuring, pattern making, long division (okay, maybe not that last one but you get the idea.)

* It reaches those kids that might otherwise slip through the art cracks (dude! what if there were such a thing as "art crack"?! Would that be like the equivalent of huffing a sharpie and drinking the paint water?!) Particularly my boy students. They absolutely thrive on weaving, being the tactile learners that they are. In fact, I overheard one little guy tell a buddy whilst weaving, "this is the best day of my life, I love this!" Daawwww.
All that being said, I've not been in love with how I've taught circle loom weaving in the past. Usually when we wove on a plate, we simply started with a blank Chinet plate, created our weaving and used markers to color the rim of the plate (go here and scroll down to 2nd grade art to see). Last year, in an effort to change things up a bit, we did the whole weaving on a CD thang which was cool and all but I still wasn't in love with the end result.
This year, in an effort to try something totes different but still make sure the kids got in their much needed weaving time, I opted to have them paint their plates before attaching them with woven greatness.
 Wait, you wanna make a Painted Plate Circle Loom Weaving too?! Okay, kids, russell up the following: 

Chinet Plates. Ya'll don't use anything less. These bad boys are as good as a canvas as far as plate-painting-surfaces go.

Tempra Paint. I only use Crayola's Washable Paint. The colors are about as good as it's gonna get in an elementary classroom.

A Loom Template. You'll thank me later, ya'll.

Yarn and Beads.
 Over the course of 2-ish art classes, we painted these plates. On our first day, we chatted about Kandinsky's concentric circle paintings and created our own. The following art class was spent using the World's Smallest Paint Brushes to craft those patterns that you see. By the way, if these look a pinch familiar to you, I shared these plates in a recent post about (attempting) to teach good craftsmanship. 
 Once the plates are painted and patterned, I give the kids a loom template with exactly 19 notches (not nachos) cut into it. The kids are to trace these notches onto the rim of their plate, count to check that they only have 19 lines to cut (because there will be the rando kid that has 55 lines drawn everywheres) and then cut the lines on the rim of the plate. I encourage them not to cut beyond the rim as this will make for a saggy weaving. Which sounds about as ugly as it is.
 Once the kids have their plates (which we now call our looms) cut, they are to grab a small skein of warping string and meet me on the floor. For the correct amount of warping string, I wrap the yarn from my hand to my elbow five times. These small bundles are available in a variety of colors for the kids to choose from. 

Now. Let's talk about teaching the kids to warp their looms. Which can either be like watching a train wreck happen in slow motion or a piece of cake. Lemme show you the cake route cuz, well, everybody loves cake.

First of all, when we are all seated on the floor, with our looms and warp string in front of us, ain't nobody allowed to touch nuthin until I say "go". You even think about touching that loom and yarn and Ima gonna snatch it up. Because, you know wuz about to happen. They'll think they've got it, fiddle around and not catch a bit of direction and the next thing you know, you've got a class of 20 all train-wreckin-it-up. So. Watch me and wait for the "go". 

First step: Put the tail end of the yarn in any notch. There should be a short tail about the length of your finger in the back while the rest of the yarn hangs loose and free in the front. Go. (I tell the kids that their "go" signal to me for the next step is to put their weavings on the floor in front of them. When I see that, I can proceed.)

Next: Bring the length of yarn down dividing the plate in half (see above photo). But, there's a catch. Be sure that there are 8 empty notches on the left side and 9 on the right. That's muy importante, ya'll. Go.

Now: (see left photo) Take the long length of string and have it "go to the right neighbor's house" meaning have your string go in the next notch on the right hand side. Now, this neighbor is super rude and it shouts, "get outta my house!" so the string runs all the way across the plate (see right photo) and makes the World's Smallest X. 


 Next: Rotate the plate so that the length of string is at the bottom (left picture). That story I just told about the string getting kicked out of the neighbor's house? It's a pattern. Which means it's gonna repeat. So, let's do it again! Go to the right neighbors house. Get kicked out. Go across the street and make the World's Smallest X. Rotate the plate.

After watching this routine, the kids walk me through completing my plate warping by repeating this as I go:

Go the neighbor. Get kicked out. Make World's Smallest X. Rotate the Plate.

Which gets shortened to:

Neighbor. Out. X. Rotate.
 You'll know you're finished when your little string has no home to go to. And that will be your weft or weaving string!

The following art class, we start to weave with that wee string.
 The first day of actual weaving is usually the toughest. I tell 'em over and under until I'm blue in the face...and they get it. That is until they pull the string tightly to the middle and it looks like this:
And then they're all "whuh, huh? whuh just happened to my string?" 

At this point, I tell them that they might have to loosen their weaving a bit to see just what they did previously. This will put them back on over-and-under track. When their weft is as long as their hand, they are to double knot tie a new string to the end. It can be a tough first day...but I repeat over and again: Your first day of weaving is the hardest. But you'll get this. And you'll love it. 
And when they do, without sounding like some sappy art teacher, it's pure magic.

During our weaving sessions, some kids sit on the floor with me and we chat and get to know each other. We've taken weavings outside on sunny days and sat under trees. We lay on the floor or relocate to tables where our buddies sit. It makes for such a fun and relaxing environment. 
Since the kids really caught on fast to weaving this year, I thought I'd throw out the option of adding pony beads. Some kids took to it right away, complimenting their designs with a beaded pattern. 

 And others opted out, content to just weave until they reached their limit of a 4" diameter. Once weavings were complete, the last of the weft strings was double knot tied to a warp spoke.

The weaving portion of this project only took us 2-ish 30 minute art classes. Since I limited the diameter to 4" (because I hated the thought of their beautiful paintings being hidden AND because the kids will seriously weave For.Eve.Rrr. if not limited), the project ended up being rather quick. By my weeks-long-art-project standards.
I think I can happily say, I'm thrilled with these circle loom weavings. I will definitely be sticking with this painted plate loom lesson. It's become a new weaving fave. To finish these guys off, the kids will tie a "hanger" of yarn at the top so these can be displayed for our upcoming art show!

By the way, I've shared a couple of weaving posts on this here blog. Some of my faves are the following:




What are your fave weaving projects? I'd love to hear!




58 comments:

  1. This is perfect. We did it without the painted background and it felt like the project was never ending. The background allows the kids to weave as much as they want and have a beautiful wall hanging whenever they're ready. - Lovely!

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    1. I know, right?! I mean, those kids will weave forever if we let them! This really shortened the project for those overachiever-weavers and helped the slower set along. Thank you for your kind words!

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    2. so would it be horrible if i did the warp threads for the kids and just went to weaving?

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    3. I was thinking the same

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    4. I just did the weaving today! I was nervous that they really wouldn't get it- but they were able to do it! Loom and all. They loved it. Thank you for sharing!

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  2. SO beautiful!!!! Thanks for the info think I might try this instead of the the cardboard looms. :)

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    1. Gurl, you and your kids would ROCK some painted plate looms!!

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  3. I LOVE THIS! I am SO doing this with my 2nd graders! Thank you! YOU ROCK!

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  4. We are in weaving mode here too. I think we might have to do this too. My third graders on doing their weaving on burlap, and 5th is doing the CD thing. Yarn is everywhere! Have a great Easter Weekend.

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  5. Very bright and spring like! I had kids add tape to the end of the yarn when it got too frayed when we did ours.
    I have a small class that we just finished 2 weaving projects: The first on a bamboo branch http://floridacreate.blogspot.com/2014/04/weaving-on-bamboo.html
    and also Weaving with natural materials on a tomato cage http://floridacreate.blogspot.com/2014/04/weaving-natural-materials-on-tomato-cage.html a little trickier..,

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  6. Cassie, love the addition of the pony beads!

    We just finished our First grade weavings here http://missfrenchfrymakesart.blogspot.com/. No one (meaning me) wanted to pull out their hair with this project and they turned out pretty weave-tastic.

    Happy Weaving Season and thanks for sharing!

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  7. Yes consider this idea stolen like an artist! Thank you for your brilliance-I am doing these with my second graders here in PA and stole your trees in front of landscapes for my 1st graders-All the painting is going well so far. Apparently I already have big man hands-trying to film a video of warping trees in case of absentees and I can't see what I'm doing over my big man hands! Love your writing and inspiration Cassie, thank you.

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  8. About to start this project this week but with a younger grade (kindergarten), fingers crossed it goes well. Love the idea of using the coloured background as then if they only do a small amount of weaving it will still look like a finished piece.

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  9. This rocks! I want to do this myself! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Anonymous7/02/2014

    I am so doing this with my SPED students. A collaborative weave comes to mind with some of my nano attention spans.

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  11. What a gorgeous project! Found you over at Kids Stuff World! So nice to meet you!

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  12. This is great! I am thinking I may have my students add tape to the end of their yarn to make it easier to weave in and out, what do you think? Also, how many class periods did this lesson take you? Such beautiful results!

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  13. Hi Cassie! I LOVE this and I am impressed that you have such young-ins producing this quality work! If you are willing to, I was wondering if you can send me a copy of this lesson plan - I'd like to see what your timeline looks like and what your district lesson plans look like (how you incorporate all the fun standards and if you have to include Common Core). I am going to do this with 4th grade and have them do specific color schemes and also with a 6th grade special ed class. Thank you for being such an inspiration to us art teachers! I always look forward to seeing what you do both in an out of the classroom!

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  14. Hey, Cassie, I know this is an old post and all, but I have a quickie question, since I know we all have our own way of doing things. I was wondering, on these circle weavings, do you have the kids knot new colors on to the prior weft yarn, or do you just overlap with no knotting? I'm a crazy knot person, because I hate the idea of anything coming undone, but I know that a lot of weaving 'purists' don't believe in knotting. Just curious as to what works best for you.

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    1. I'm with you, we ALWAYS tie the new string to the last. With a double knot. My kids who have tried to do it without weaving always end up with holes in their work. Like aways, we think alike ;)

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  15. Anonymous12/16/2014

    I just finished this project w/my class! :) https://artlittlebennett.wordpress.com/ I blogged about it here and linked back to your blog so people could see how you teach it. I love love loooove the way it turned out. :) Thank you for inspiring me!! xoxo

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  16. Hi Cassie, I'm working on the development of an on-line curriculum for Grade 2 ELA, and we wanted to include a short "technical" how-to passage on weaving for grade 2. Would you be interested in writing a passage of 200-500 words about this pitched to grade 2? You would be paid, of course.

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  17. Hi Cassie, I didn't click the notify button the first time, so I'm sending again. I'm working on the development of an on-line curriculum for Grade 2 ELA, and we wanted to include a short "technical" how-to passage on weaving for grade 2. Would you be interested in writing a passage of 200-500 words about this pitched to grade 2? You would be paid, of course. And of course, we need it yesterday. ;-)

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    1. Hi Lynne! Sure, I'd love to write something up! You can reach me at cassieart75@gmail.com. Lemme know what you need and I'll send it your way!

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  18. I m struggle to get it right and I want children to do during holiday programme, can you send me how to do it step by step please

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  19. Anonymous8/26/2015

    Lovely and bright - makes a pleasant change from paper weaving!
    Very inspiring - thanks

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  20. Hey Cassie! Question. . . where would I find a loom pattern? Weaving isn't my forte so I'm a little nervous. Thanks!

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  21. Hi Cassie! Would you possibly share your lesson plan for the circle weaving project and stitched dot project? I would be most appreciative! Thanks!

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  22. Hi Cassie, This is such a beautiful way to incorporate weaving and painting into one artwork. The kids loved it. I ended up having the kids number the cuts on the back of the plates. Then directing them to go from 1 to 10 to 11 to 2 at least eliminated some of the confusion! Thanks!!!

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  23. Anonymous1/29/2016

    Do you make a notch pattern plate for every single student or just a few? Do you have them draw the lines and cut or do you do that for them before class?

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    1. Hi Annie! I have about 10 pre-notched plates. The kids place those over their own plate, trace the notched lines and cut. So they do all of the tracing and cutting :)

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  24. I teach 1-6th grade art. My biggest headache is having kids tie their own "anything"! I spend more time of my 30 min. classes, tying for them, suggesting a friend help them, stop everything so we can learn to tie a knot...ugh. So many times I say "just like you all knot your shoes"! It just stops me in my tracks and I get so frustrated. I'd love to do this with my 1-3rds but I'm confident tying will be a problem, and cause this to drag on too long. How do you teach tying?

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  25. I have did this kind of basic weaving in my 7th grade and these were best creative activities of our childhood.
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  26. Anonymous6/09/2016

    I am messing around with this in preparation for teaching to kids tomorrow and have a tip to share for the awkward part of getting the first few rounds of weft going. When you bring your last warp thread up to start weaving with it, FIRST wrap it all the way around (over and under) the center star (so you'll be bisecting the star) and bring it back to it's original position where you were about to start weaving with it. You can pull on it to adjust the center of the star to exactly where you want it, tie a simple overhand knot (back to itself) and THEN start weaving (it won't matter which warp thread to choose to begin with). This way you are starting with a very tidy center star, which is kept in place and your star is not off center (a problem I was having with the first few tries). Hope this makes sense, it's a useful little step to take! Sorry for the anonymous post, I was having trouble with sign up and don't have time to sort it out right now! Carolyn

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    1. Hi Carolyn! Sorry for the delayed response, I was out of town and away from my blog. Thank you SO MUCH for this tip! It makes great sense and I'll be sharing it with my students!!

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  27. Hello Cassie,
    What are the measurements for the 19 notches? I did an 1 1/2 and got 18...
    Thanks,
    Marla

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    1. Hi Marla!

      You know, I just wing it to get the 19...no measuring involved. Accuracy isn't my thing. Sorry! Just put down that ruler and start drawing notches about two fingers apart.

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  28. Thanks for the reply! I'll give it a spin!
    Marla

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  29. A great lesson! The results are extraordinary and I love comments I overhear such 'the last art teacher never let us do anything like this,' or 'this is so relaxing, can't we do this instead of PE?' I created an almost perfect template for the notches if you want me to email it to you. They all want to repeat next year, but I won't do this with 3rd grade or younger.

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    1. Any chance I could get your template for the notches?

      My email is jamie.copley@mybedford.us

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    2. I would love a template too if you still have it please.
      kyliepulling@gmail.com

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  30. I would welcome your template for the notches if you don't mind sharing. First year art teachering!! dwolinski2@bcps.org
    Thanks!

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  31. I love this project and am right in the middle with my second graders. I have to say that they are definitely having trouble cutting the notches for some reason and then the whole warping yarn day was a total bust with my first class! I'll try again next week! Maybe my next class will grab onto it better! (fingers crossed!)

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  32. Diane {Akela}5/22/2017

    I run a cub scout pack in the UK and they loved doing this . thanks for pictures they could follow

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  33. Gonna start this tomorrow :).... Kandinsky plates, here we come!

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  34. Hi! Thank you for this post! I was looking for a fairly simple project for my homeschool crew, and this is perfect! I'm using it to finish up our spider unit, because spiders are weavers, don't you know!

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  35. Anonymous8/20/2017

    Great post, nice pic, i like it

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  37. Wow this is so awesome! I work with a group of 3 boys developing their language skills, I've found doing things helps them express and stand up and share the process, I take photos and then get them to write about what we did too. This is now on my list for next term, they will love this!
    They love having things to take home and share with their families.

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  38. Do you think the plates are better than cardboard pizza rounds?

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  39. Thank you! Love the loom idea and painting. I'm a little nervous my students won't be bale to handle this...but I still might give it a try.

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  40. Cassie,
    How much one on one help do the kids need?

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  41. I home school my 8 year old daughter. We love your weeks-long projects and your fun explanations. We just finished this project and it is gorgeous. Its a gift for her nana and papa. Thank you!

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  42. Thanks so much for this idea!!!! I am the art docent for my son's third grade class and we did the painting part last month and will finish the weaving part this month. I have a question...what do you do with the free end of yarn that you use to warp? Just let it hang loose? Tie it off? tape it to the back of the tape? Thanks! Lisa

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  43. Oops...that was supposed to say...tape it to the back of the plate?

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  45. Cassie
    I want to say thank you for your willingness to share what you do! I am using several of your lessons to begin the year. The kids love it, and you have made my life easier:) Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
    Tiffany Rawlings

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