Set the tone of your class by engaging students right off the bat! Try using one of the “Guess Who? Games”, especially if you teach a food, fashion or child development class. These games get them thinking creatively, communicating and moving pretty quickly. Not only will you set the stage to the type of classroom you will run, but it let’s them know that your teaching style is probably very different than most typical classrooms!
Sometimes you need a generic project that can be used as an individual student assignment when class sizes are small or a group project when class sizes are large. This is where Project ABC for ANY Topic comes in! Regardless of the topic you are teaching, this activity can be used as a review of materials or as an assessment of materials in ANY course, with any topic! It even includes a version that can be turned into a bulletin board or wall display afterwards.
A few years ago I created a couple of tarsia puzzles for use in helping students learn basic cooking tools and measuring abbreviations and equivalents. I had always meant to create more puzzles. Well, I finally got a new Tarsia Puzzles: Sewing Tools created! Be sure to check it out along with the additional sewing resources available. Please let me know if you have ideas for additional tarsia puzzles and I’ll see what I can do.
If you teach a child development, parenting or family class and need to incorporate a financial component, then this Baby Layette project may be just what you are looking for! Not only do students learn what a baby layette is, but they also must put one together following a variety of budget ranges. Read on to learn more…
Engaging Ways to Teach Sewing Pattern Symbols shows you how you can teach sewing pattern symbols in a variety of hands-on, engaging ways. Every class is different! I’ve found, in my experience, that sometimes you need options for teaching as an activity that works well in one class may not work successfully in another. So check out the options below and choose one or more to try with your students when teaching about pattern symbols.
You’ve probably heard about needle felting, maybe even tried it. However, have you ever considered teaching the art to your students? When I learned this was being taught to high school students, I had to learn more. So, let me introduce you to Shaelin Nilsen of Utah! She created these “Hands-On Textiles: Needle Felting resources” so you, too, can help your students learn about non-woven textiles and wool fiber while creating a simple little project!
I was thrilled when, during the pandemic, my daughter wanted to learn how to embroider! She wanted to learn how to make flowers. So we pulled out all of the supplies, drew some free hand flowers and proceeded. She quickly picked up the techniques and went on to embroider some beautiful masks and denim shirt pockets. This got me to thinking that with all of the upcycling and repurposing that is part of sustaining our earth, why not teach students the skill and art of Embroidering Clothes! Read on to learn more.
If you are looking to incorporate a meaningful sewing project that also serves as a way to help others, then you need to check out this Sew Powerful Purse Project. This project is designed to keep girls in Zambia in school for the entire month and help them achieve academic success. The pattern is provided for free along with a helpful video tutorial. Even if you don’t have time to add this service project to your curriculum right now, it does give you time to plan for next year!
Earth Day is right around the corner and if you’re in need of a lesson and activity around sustainability, then you definitely want to check out “Which Bag is Best?”. In this lesson, students explore various types of bags and then use their critical thinking skills and the decision making model to make an informed decision. Additionally, students will make an earth-friendly repurposed bag from a t-shirt in class that can be used for their gym clothes or shopping. Don’t have sewing machines? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
In the hit movie, Barbie, the main character finds herself in the human world with Ken. Suppose that while Barbie & Ken are in human land, they decide to travel the
world. We all know that Barbie & Ken are fashionistas and they’d want to wear the latest styles and fashions of the countries they visit. However, they need your help! Continue reading Global Fashion with Barbie & Ken to learn more…
