1 day - Card frame weaving + observational drawing and art and design in IT.

This is a workshop best suited to years 1 - 4 but is valuable to older children as well. The children are given an introduction to the artist and his work as well as weaving generally and its place in the world today. The process of spinning is discussed and examined as a part of this but is not demonstrated as such.

Texture and the various properties of different materials are investigated in detail and the childrens language skills developed as an important part of this - their understanding of the materials will help the children to use them effectively in their weaving.

The children will be asked to consider the materials and the descriptions of their textures before using them in their weaving. In this way, they will be "designing" their tapestries and begin to comprehend the design concept.

Assessment and criticism of the work is ongoing but the class will be asked to stop from time to time in order to make group assessments and consolidate their understanding of their initial investigations.

If time allows, the children will be asked to make a drawing of their weaving when it is complete. They will be asked to look closely at the pattern of textures as well as colours and to make a representation of the these as best they can using pencil on paper. The purpose of this is to develop further their understanding of texture and the ways in which it can be used and interpreted. It will also help their observation skills and where the programme of workshops is to be continued to the next stage, it will give them a good grounding for this.

As part of the drawing work in this project option, some of the children (3 or 4) may be asked to work on the computer (whichever art package the school has available). They will be allowed to use it without assistance to begin with in order to assess their understanding of the computer as a design tool and the familiarity with the software. They will then be shown ways of working more efficiently with the programme to produce more satisfactory (and satisfying) results. Work produced will be discussed with the class - comparisons made to the initial computer drawing work and the pencil drawing of the other children.

NB - There is usually some time available in this project option for the drawing and computer work, but it is limited and detailed discussion cannot take place with the children. The 1.5 day option is more appropriate for this to take place.

Outcomes for assessment and planning

The children will :-

See and discuss a contemporary artist's work.
Discover the relevance of weaving in our lives today and in the past.
Learn about the structures of yarn and weaving.
Develop language - common words, technical terms and creative use.
Investigate the properties of different materials.
Learn about symbols and how one thing can be used to represent another.
Experience using their hands and fingers in different ways by using a range of equipment and tools. Develop spacial awareness.
Develop their observation skills.
Criticise and assess their own work and that of others.
Begin to understand the design concept.

and where the computer is used, children will also :-

Discover how some of the programme tools work and how to use them efficiently.
Learn which tools are best for the job in hand.
Create different effects with standard tools and some options.
Gain better control of the mouse.
Learn to construct a design/drawing logically.
Learn about pixels.
Some keyboard shortcuts.