Leaf Sewing!

What you will need:

Leaves, hole punch, child' plastic needles and yarn.

This one of my favorite fall activities!  There are two ways to do this!

Hole Punched Leaves

 Using a hole punch - make holes around the edge of the leaf.

Or let the children make the holes.  Magnolia leaves are very strong!

Let the children lace the leaf!

Needle and Yarn Leaves

 Thread a child's plastic needle with yarn. Push needle through leaf.

 Go around the edge of the leaf.

 Leaves that have been sewn.

So beautiful!

Finger Knitting and Sewing Like Elves!

One of the components of my "Elves and the Shoemaker" unit is teaching the children to finger knit and sew.   Finger knitting is always a favorite.  The boys love it as much as the girls.   Click here for an older post that has a video on how to finger knit.

 Because a long piece of yarn will end up so short - making bracelets is the best first step!

 This student wanted to try it on different kinds of yarn and string.  Here he is finger knitting twine.  

 Clearly, he couldn't stop knitting!  He was draped in his good work!

More and more bracelets!

HANDSEWING

Normally, I introduce hand sewing during my pilgrim unit.  This year we did not have time to get to it.  So I introduced it as a part of the elves unit.  The elves in the story sew the leather of the shoes.  We sing a song of how the needles go "in and out."  

Materials needed:  burlap, blunt needles, white paint pen, yarn.

1.  Cut the burlap into squares (approximately 10 x10 inches).

2.  Write the first initial of each child's name on the front of the burlap with the paint pen.

3.  Prepare the needles by tying the yarn to the needle and knotting it.

 

Weaving Like Elves

As a part of my Little Elves and the Shoemaker unit, I always introduce several hand working projects.  One of my favorite things to do is weaving.  It is simple and the children love the process.  I found this grapevine "ribbon" at Michael's for $5 and their holiday ribbon was 50% off.  Perfect!

Weaving is a wonderful way to build the pincer grasp for writing and develop fine motor control.    

 HOW TO DO IT:
Simple - give the children ribbons to weave.  I let the children loose to weave how ever they wish!

The end product is an explosion of joy! 

Sewing Little Elves

This week my class began sewing little elves.  We have been learning the tale of  "The Elves and the Shoemaker."  This is a wonderful tale about the spirit of giving.  It also offers a great opening to discuss wants and needs.

I used a traditional pattern for gnomes and altered it a bit for the elf.  I adapted the pattern found in the book, "The Gnome Craft Book" by Thomas and Petra Berger (page 9).  It is that pointy hat that gives the children the feeling it is an elf. 
(Disclaimer!) This is my first attempt to make a basic pattern in digital form and then link it!  If it fails - let me know!

Elf Pattern

Materials needed:  needles, embroidery thread, wool felt, wool batting, wooden discs.

To sew this little elf, use the whip stitch.  I double the thread and knot the ends.

 Cut out wool felt.

Fold in half.

Stitch from bottom to tip of the "upside down" L.   Then, sew from tip of hat to end of that edge.  (see pattern link for specific place to sew)

The pattern is "Push in, pull out."  The needle will require a little "push" to get through the wool.  The child will have the sewing when he/she gets the "rhythmic" movement of the stitch.

Let each child sew at their own level.   Do not demand too much at this point.  I like to engage the "love of the task" to build desire for future projects.

Stuff with wool.

My colleague, Mrs. Finch had a great idea!  She purchased wooden discs for the bottom of the elves.  This gives them the ability to stand without having to sew on the bottoms. 

I hot glued on the discs for the children and we wrote their names on the bottoms.

 These little elves are great for dollhouse and block play.

STANDARDS:

Math Standard 1: Algebraic Reasoning: Patterns - The student will analyze simple patterns.
2. Explain verbally and extend simple patterns (e.g. push in, pull out )

Math Standard 3: Geometry - The student will explore the relationship of objects in the environment.
3. Model and use words indicating relative position or direction (e.g., students describe the relationships between self and objects in space using on, above, below, beside, under, on top of, behind, and over).

Small Motor - Standard 1: The student will participate in activities that involve small motor skills.
1. Demonstrate increased control of hand and eye coordination.

Visual Art Appreciation - Standard: Demonstrate thoughtfulness and care in completion of artworks.

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES:  Visual Spatial, Body-Kinesthetic, Musical-Rhythmic, Intrapersonal

BLOOM'S TAXONOMY: Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, Creating.

Weaving Curriculum in Switzerland Kindergarten

The classroom I visited in Switzerland was a multi-age classroom.  There was a completion project before going on to first grade - a circular weaving made into a turtle.  This circular weaving was the shell of a felt turtle.

I noticed that the teacher provided several opportunities for weaving and circular weaving.  I loved this huge weaving in progress behind the block area:

 

There was this great idea for a large weaving space on a wall made with chicken wire.  I have made this for my classes before and they loved it!

 

Detail of chicken wire loom.

These are the circular looms in progress in the kindergarten for their turtles.

This is a graduating kindergartener sewing his circular weaving to the felt turtle form.  It was then stuffed.  

Hand Sewing Like the Pilgrims

 MATERIALS:  To sew with kindergarteners all you need are blunt tipped needles (found in the needlepoint section), burlap fabric, yarn and a marker to write the first initial of the student on the burlap.

I used a paint pen to write the letter in white on the dark brown burlap.  I double threaded the needles and tied a knot.  I started the needle for the children.  The best way I have found to teach hand sewing in a "running stitch" is to explain that it is an AB pattern in which you go up/down/up/down.  When they "go around" it is not up or down.  It is easy to pull out the needle and thread when this happens.

 Here is a finished letter!  It is such an accomplishment to sew your own name!