PREP NOTES FOR LESSON 2 The paper loom weave project lays the groundwork for all types of weaving projects by introducing the over/under pattern. You may want to use the vocabulary of weaving for better communication with your child. Weaving involves strips, called wefts . The paper that we weave through is our loom and the strips on it are called warps . When coloring onto construction paper, use wax crayons or watercolor crayons, but do not add water to activate the pigment in the watercolor crayons. Construction paper falls apart when wet. Work alongside children on the weaving projects until each child understands the process. Create a weaving of your own to demonstrate the steps as children make theirs with their own hands. For children, the physical act of making the motions is more helpful than just watching the process. More help will be needed for younger students, but even four and five-year-old children can successfully weave. The most common problem for children is that they tend to start the second weft in the way they started the first, either both under or both over. If this happens, show your child why this won’t work by sliding the second weft strip behind the first. Oops! It’s time to re-weave that second weft by starting opposite the first. If the first weft starts over, then the second must start under. Once it’s through, slide it down to the first weft. This time it butts up against the first weft without sliding behind it. Yea! Keep your tone positive, while allowing your child to weave and make some mistakes in the process. Mistakes can be easily fixed. OUTSIDE THE HOME ENVIRONMENT Demonstrate one step at a time and have children repeat what you’ve done after each step. When instructing a group outside the home environment, set some ground rules for scissors before passing them out. Children should only cut paper and they should only hold the scissors in their hands when they cut paper. Scissors should be on the table while they watch you demonstrate the processes. By clearly demonstrating the proper use of tools, you will set up clear guidelines for future projects that will help children to have better focus and attention. It often works well to have tools and materials laid out on a table before class begins. After demonstrating the process, allow children to gather their tools and select colors of paper. In this way, they have a vision for the possible outcomes of their own project and can make better choices.
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