Paper Weavings

Objectives

  • Students will learn how to weave using paper and/or cloth.
  • Students will learn about the tasks performed by women during colonial times.

Materials

Regular school-grade colored construction paper is suggested for this activity because it is inexpensive and readily available. Choose colors that were popular with the early colonists: naturals (cream, off-white, tan), all shades of blue, yellow, pink, orange, and purple.

Procedures

  1. Distribute the Paper Weavings Instruction Sheet.
  2. Discuss the role of women in colonial times.
  3. Go over the instructions with your students.
  4. Distribute materials and allow time for students to make a weaving. Encourage variations to the basic weaving pattern as outlined and suggest limiting color selections to three or four choices.
  5. When students are finished, display the weavings around the room.
  6. (Optional) Laminating the weavings will preserve them and turn them into usable placemats.
  7. Extension Activity: Contact the art teacher in your building well in advance and coordinate a fabric- or rag-weaving activity while your classes are learning about the New England colonies.

Excerpted from America: Ready-to-Use Interdisciplinary Lessons & Activities for Grades 5-12.

Students learn to make weavings out of paper or cloth to mimic the activities of women from Colonial times. This is a great Thanksgiving arts & crafts activity that will encourage students to be creative as they explore American history.
Grades
3 |
4 |
5
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