Open Inquiry 8: Fibre Arts In the Classroom
Throughout this inquiry project I have been reflecting on how fibre arts can be implemtented in the classroom and how they could be linked to both the arts and other subjects.
I used grade 3 as an example because I am with a grade 3 class for my practicum.
Arts Education 3:
Fibre arts like felting, weaving, and knitting can all be easily introduced to students and connected to these curricular competencies. “Explore identity, place, culture, and belonging through arts experiences” feels very relevant, as an arts unit described as “Fibre Arts” could look at multiple techniques just within knitting or weaving to understand cultures through artistic expression. From this exploration of actually creating artworks, social studies can naturally follow.
Fibre arts is an artistic expression that simultaneously teaches our cultural similarities and differences. This video is about high school students, but I believe the idea of meaningful conversations while engaging in artistic expression works with people of all ages. The video about Cowichan sweaters connects what students are learning to pieces of art that are culturally relevant to them or that they see in their day-to-day life on Vancouver Island.
This unit can also tie into English Language Arts 3 through the storytelling and language aspects of fibre arts. I have found fleshing out an idea in this way in this project helpful in realizing the importance of cross-curricular learning to establish meaning. Larger units where a subject is explored in many different ways encourage students to think laterally, consider perspectives other than their own and create meaningful projects. When creating art, teaching the importance of respecting the resources and understanding where ideas come from is important.
Fibre arts continue to teach me so much, and connect me with the people around me. I am excited to continue my journey of fibre arts exploration, and can’t wait to see how this project enhances my future teaching.
A felting project from our art course:
My friend’s hand dyed yarn:
