During our first class of Session 3 I explained to the students that throughout the course of our time together I would be giving them four treasures. Each treasure would mean something different. Today they would be creating the bag in which to keep their treasures.
Before we started crafting the fabric container for our special objects, we played a game to get to know everyone's names and to move our bodies in new and different ways! I asked the students to figure out how many syllables are in their own name. We went around the circle and clapped out the syllables for each child's name. Then everyone stood up in a circle and each student developed a movement for the syllables in his or her name. I started us off by creating a movement for each syllable in JULIE, and then the students took over! It was fun to see movements matching the personalities of the students who developed them.
I knew the fabric bag would take the majority of the class to create, so I demonstrated the sewing and told the students they were to create the most beautiful container they could to house the four special objects that I would give them. There were so many variations in the designs they drew onto the 8" circular piece of fabric. When it came to the sewing part of the project I encouraged the older students to help the Kindergarteners and the children who had never sewn before. So many of the kids were willing and excited to help the others who needed it. Many of the students have been in my class for multiple sessions, and we have built a strong community. I saw that community in action during this project.
Here are some pictures of students at work along with some of the finished bags!
