Topic 1: What is Wool?
While we usually associate wool as coming from sheep, there are many other animals that we can produce wool from (spoiler alert… including alpacas and camels). Learn the basics of wet felting and create your own wet felted balls.
Topic 2: Wet Felting
Explore the science behind wool and wet felting. In this project, you will create a wet felted ornament using a modified needle.
Topic 3: Finger Knitting, Part 1
Learn how to finger knit with one finger and create a finger-knitted chain that can be turned into spiral art!
Topic 4: Finger Knitting, Part 2
Extend your knowledge of finger knitting by learning to knit on four fingers. Once you knit a strand, you can turn your knitting into a finger-knitted snake.
Topic 5: Braiding
Discover how to braid using three stands of string. Create a fun friendship bracelet using your newly developed skill and an assortment of colored string!
Topic 6: Weaving
How do you weave using straws? Watch the step by step instructions that guide you in the process of straw weaving. Then, turn your weaving creation into a fun and colorful bookmark!
Topic 7: Running Stitch
The running stitch is one of the most basic sewing stitches, essential for anyone tackling a sewing project. Refine your needle skills and practice sewing on fabric using the running stitch.
Topic 8: Whip Stitch
The whip stitch is another basic sewing skill that creates a nicely finished edge on fabric. It's a bit more complicated than the running stitch but very attainable with some practice. Test your whip stitch skills by making your own mini doll or stuffed animal pillow.
Topic 9: Buttons
Tackle the process of sewing buttons onto fabric using a needle and thread. Practice this skill by creating an Abstract Button Art project that will be wonderful to frame and display!
Topic 10: Sew a Stuffie
Take all of the handwork skills you have learned throughout this unit to design, plan, and execute the creation of your own stuffed animal. This is a wonderful culminating task to showcase your newly learned handwork skills!
We start each topic by igniting curiosity...
Interesting Fact to Spark Curiosity
- A great deal of learning will happen all on its own when children are interested in what they are learning about.
Discussion Question to Start a Dialogue
- Allow yourself to go wherever the conversation goes! Children can learn so much from having discussions and conversations.
Curated YouTube Video with Experts in the Field
- Carefully curated YouTube videos allow your child to visually immerse themselves in the unit's topic.
Book Suggestion for a Literacy-Rich Environment
- Read together or encourage independent exploration with these library book suggestions that naturally ignite learning.
...then engage and expand with hands-on learning.
Hands-On Activity for Deep Learning
- Engaging activities target specific skills, such as science, art, social studies, geography, cooperation, critical thinking, early engineering, and creativity.
What's Happening to Extend Learning
- Learn more about the science behind the hands-on activity with this helpful information.
Math or Literacy Enrichment for an Extra Challenge
- Each topic includes a word-based math problem or a literacy activity modified to three levels so they are fitting for the whole family.
Tips & Printables for Easy, Beautiful Learning
- Each Family Unit Study includes an introduction with tips, as well as printables to beautify and extend learning.
