Bring Fibers into Your Curriculum

Bring Fibers into Your Curriculum

My name is Christine MillerSince elementary school I have beenKnittingCrochetingEmbroideringNeedlepointingSewingHand weavingMaking basketsWet feltingNeedle felting

Im a Life LongFiber Artist

Ive exhibited and sold my work for over 40 years. I brought my love of fibers into the classroom when I started teaching art in 2005.

Fibers as a Fine Art Material?

Check out thisAugust 14, 2015article byMichael Slenske

2013 TEKS UpdateIncludes Fiber Art!(2)Creative expression. The student communicates ideas through original artwork using a variety of media with appropriate skills. The student expresses thoughts and ideas creatively while challenging the imagination, fostering reflective thinking, and developing disciplined effort and progressive problem-solving skills. The student is expected to:(F)demonstrate effective use of art media and tools in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, and digital art and media.

Plano ISD Teachers Teaching With FiberA district sharing fiber excitement!

Beth CarterSkaggs ElementaryFrom the Teacher:I love love love texture. I love to incorporate painting and clay with fiber to connect texture.Children crave texture in the art room. Fiber lessons settle the Glitter of my most challenging students.Clay Looms

"After teaching 20 years, I have discovered thesetypes of lessons reach all of my ELL and special learning students as well as my gifted learners.

Tracy EvansMitchell ElementaryRadial Weaving Installation

The Seed of a ProjectThis 5th grade collaborative project fostered unity in the class and became a permanent installation in the library. The title, Our Starry Night won because of its color, movement, texture and link to the art world.

Meeka This is so exciting because we get to leave a little piece of us forever at Mitchell!Blake - Weaving I thought was more for girls, but I had so much fun learning it, I went home and asked my mom to buy me a loom! I now make gifts for my family!

Virginia MathysMiller ElementaryWhat students say: The kids love that the yarn is warm and fuzzy, it helps them to focus and remember things better when they are crocheting. We can use our imagination out loud!Radial Weaving

As a teacher, fibers are fun and exciting! The best part though is how excited they are and the sense of wonder and amazement in their eyes. They light up and they still see the world as magical!

Amanda GlassHedgcoxe ElementaryTeachers ReflectionMy students love to work with fiber arts. I like to use things that they might have at home like old cds, show them how to make a loom out of a cereal box, or make a needle out of tape, so that they can continue creating art at home.Hand Weaving

Matthew GrundlerBrinker ElementaryTeachers ReflectionSince adding fiber into my program, it has allowed my students to gain a more rounded art experience.Radial Weaving

High Engagement!Radial Weaving

Student ReactionsNoooo!!!! I dont wanna stop, this is too fun!This is a really fun project!

Kim PaserShepton High SchoolSoft Sculpture Creatures

Teachers Comment: I really like to incorporate soft sculpture and sewing into my curriculum because the students really respond well to the medium and they are in a peaceful and tranquil state of mind when working. Also many of them say it is their favorite project of the year and they are most excited to take it home.

I like that sewing is a practical life skill that I can use in the future.

Emily Garner

Williams High SchoolStitching on Watercolor

Mrs. Garner says: Bringing fibers into the studio gives the students more options. For centuries, society needed to know how to sew, spin yarn and weave. Its important that we bring back this knowledge to our students.

Her student says: I find it relaxing and fun. It brings a new aspect to my artwork and makes it more interesting. Its definitely worth learning because you can do a lot with it.

Christine MillerWilliams High SchoolWhat My Student Said:Working with fiber is important. Fiber is a very important material to include in art programs. It will give students the chance to experiment with something new. Most students are just taught with the traditional materials. An art class should teach their students that art is everywhere in in everything. The students should not be limited to just working with the traditional materials.Needle Felted Sculpture

Fibers Enrich an Art ProgramTeacher StoryI had a male student in my Art I: 3D Design and Sculpture class. He never showed enthusiasm or excitement in my class. When he started weaving on a small floor loom in my studio, he had the biggest smile on his face. It made my heart smile as well. Floor Loom Weaving

Materials & MentoringThere are a lot of resources to help you strengthen your fiber program!

Its scary to teach something Im not familiar with!

New materials and processes present new problems! I have

Questions

I have equipment from a former teacher I dont know how to use!Where can I find help for various fiber processes?How do I get materials? I dont have a big supply budget!How do I know my students will like this?

ExploreFiber.comExplore Fiberpromotes fibers as a contemporary fine art material in art education.Explore Fiberis a collaborative initiative and resource by and for a community of educators and artists working with fibers through innovative art expressions.

Explore Fiber Provides:quality lessons using fibers as a fine art materialvideos for inspiration and tutorial supportinterviews with fiber artists and art educatorsa blog for communication and dialogue in the broad fiber arts communityan interactive space to explore fiber arts in the 21st century

Explore Fiber Resources

Let us be Your Resource!

Submit a LessonFor TeachersFiber, Blogs, Websites, Facebook Pages & Social NetworksFiber Galleries and MuseumsFiber OrganizationsJournals, Publications & ArticlesSchools, Classes, WorkshopsUniversity Programs

Lessons & Video Tutorials

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Fiber News & Inspiration

Cassie StephensTAEA Keynote Speaker & Elementary Fibers Queen!

In the Art Room: A Woven ClutchIn the Art Room: Gods Eye (Ojo de Dios)In the Art Room: Circle Loom Weaving with Second Grade

The Art of EducationOnline Grad Class: Studio FibersOnline Professional Development Taught by Cassie Stephens

Obtainium: something that can be had for little or no cost!Art teachers are experts at scrounging and begging! You have to contact the right people to get the materials and support you need!

Write a Grant!Find Resources to Get the Equipment you Want!

How do I get materials?Contact Local Fiber OrganizationsFiber organizations want their passion to stay alive and are very excited for young people to learn about Fiber arts!Weaving GuildsKnitting GuildsEmbroidery GuildsQuilter GuildsSewing GuildsBasket Guilds

How do I learn how to use equipment I have?Network & Teach Yourself!

YouTube is a great resource for video tutorials.Explore Fiber is also building a fiber video tutorial database.Contact local artists to find a mentor that can help you!

IM HERE TO HELP!

DONT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME!CHRISTINE.MILLER@PISD.EDUEXPLOREFIBER@GMAIL.COM

No Guts, No Glory!

Students LOVE fiber! Start slow, choose a project you are interested in and gather the supplies you need. Reach out to your community.HAVE FUN!