Lesson Plans:
Basket Weaving

Subject(s)/Grade(s): Visual Arts Education, 4
Related Subjects: Language Arts

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will participate in a hands-on craft experience.
  2. After an introduction to the concept of weaving and its place in the craft movement, Students will choose a weaving pattern and appropriate materials.
  3. Students will create a basket based on the lesson plan.
  4. Students will share their weaving projects with one another. Discussion will include both method and students assessment on the experience of creating by hand.

Teacher Planning

  • This lesson can be done quickly, in one class period, or slowly in two to three sessions. It may be extended for a longer period of time.

Materials/Resources

  • Baskets, samples and photos
  • Woven potholders (or other samplers) that show the weaving pattern.
  • Oak splits or other weaving materials
  • Construction paper or recycled paper
  • Colored pencils
  • Markers
  • Yarn
  • Plastic cups
  • Permanent markers
  • Scissors
  • Beads
  • Student journals

Procedures

  1. Introduce weaving patterns: over, under, over, under...
  2. Have the students pass the baskets around and observe the over, under pattern.
  3. Demonstrate how to weave with oak splits or other natural weaving materials.
  4. Let the students have a turn at weaving with the natural materials.
  5. Demonstrate weaving with paper strips.
  6. Let students work on their weaving pieces with paper strips.
  7. Review the weaving process of coming to the end of a color and putting in a new color.
  8. Demonstrate how students can add beads near the top of their cup.
  9. Students should record something about their weaving experience in their journal, a drawing or written description.
  10. Students will sit in a circle and share their baskets, pointing out their designs.

Assessment:

  1. Students will receive credit for completing the step-by-step process outlined in the lesson plan.
  2. Students will also receive credit for completing a thoughtful journal or log of their experience.
  3. Students will receive feedback from teacher and classmates regarding their understanding of the lesson and the basket they produce. Discussions topics should include observations on the weaving process and whether or not the articles produced seem more valuable having been handmade. 

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

-Submitted by Hannah Levin, Arthur Morgan School, Celo, North Carolina