Class 1 - 8 Craft Class update

Term 2 has seen the commencement of new projects for some years and a continuation of larger projects for others.

Class 1 is so close to finishing their Australian ring-neck parrots! They have knitted, stitched, and stuffed their birds and are onto their finishing touches, ready to showcase the birds at the Alice Springs show. Through knitting, we introduce children to techniques, engage their fine motor skills, promote co-ordination, and cultivate their attention to detail, as stitches can be easily dropped. For Mother’s (and special figures) Day, Class 1 created their own bespoke chopping board designs. Students initially drew a shape on timber (which was cut out for them) then filed, sanded, and oiled their own chopping board design. This was such a tactile class, and the students loved shaping their beautiful boards for loved ones.

Class 2 is continuing with their knitted friends this term. In Class 1, more emphasis is put on skill and mimicking; however, in Class 2, the students have more flexibility with making their own colour choices, giving their craft projects more personality. Earlier in Term 1, Class 2 created some spectacular wet-felted pencil rolls inspired by their interpretation of a ‘dancing rainbow’. Students are gradually given coloured pencils over the year, and this pencil roll will house these. By the end of Class 2, children are starting to get a sense that they are creating items that should not only look beautiful but are also functional.

Class 3 is building on their crochet skills they began in Term 1. Crochet is a development from knitting as the right hand is engaged differently, and one limb works almost independently of the other. Last term, most children finished their first crochet project, a water bottle holder. Students were taught to ‘chain’ stitch for the holder and ‘double’ crochet stitch for the handle. They are currently extending their skills by carefully following a ‘double’ crochet pattern to stitch in the round and create a cushion cover. They will continue developing their skills as they use a ‘treble’ crochet stitch for the second side of their cushion later in the term.

Class 4’s cross-stitch are coming along nicely. Through cross-stitch, we introduce mathematical concepts to craft and emphasise preciseness, colour theory, and problem-solving. Students learned the history and fundamentals of cross-stitch before launching into their own design. Class 4 students first created beautiful watercolour paintings, used a ‘viewfinder’ to locate an area they wanted to base their cross-stitch on, and used 2 or 4-way symmetry to draw up their designs in coloured pencil. Upon completion, these masterpieces will be attached to their class pencil cases. Next, we are working on fluffy sheepskin crochet slippers just in time for winter!

Class 5 is continuing their 2 and 4-needle socks this term, so they are ready to wear in the cooler months. Most students mastered knitting with 4 needles which tested their dexterity, persistence, and ability to decipher more complex knitting patterns. They are currently completing their second sock alongside creating three-dimensional felt elephants in line with their recent main lesson content on Asia.

In Class 6, students are crafting lifelike dolls representing their personal journey through primary school. The traditional hand-sculpted cloth dolls offer a test of patience and determination as students meticulously hand-stitch the entire body and arms, and carefully craft a lifelike head. Later in the term, students will learn pattern-making skills, fashioning clothing that embodies the unique essence of themselves.

After a successful term of creating ceramic medieval goblets and hand-stitching medieval banners, Class 7 has begun Term 2 by creating their own linocuts aligning with print making concepts covered in their main lesson. Apart from practical work, students in Class 7 should now begin to learn about the making and processing of the materials they use. Students are creating personalised letter designs using ‘illuminated initials’ found in medieval illustration books as inspiration. Students will create their own tote bag and use linocut printing techniques to print their design onto fabric.

This term we have introduced a combined Class 7 and 8 drawing class. So far, we have worked through the human body, first working on the human figure before proportions of the face, hands, and most recently shading. We are looking forward to moving into still-life drawing using our shading skills as well as perspective drawing later in the term.

Most of Class 8 are still completing their pajamas. All students have finished their ‘toiles’ and are onto cutting out their final fabric, inserting pockets, and adding elastic. Class 8 are gradually becoming more and more independent and confident using the sewing machines which is fantastic to see.

That’s a wrap for craft so far!

Kind regards,

Bindi

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