It's been a while since I posted about my students so I thought it was time. Part of the FACS curriculum is to do a sewing unit although that's problematic because there are no sewing machines and no budget for anything that doesn't come from a grocery store. I found some needles and thread in the classroom and I brought in a stash of fabric from home. My goal for this two week unit is for the kiddos to learn to: 1) sew a straight stitch, 2) sew on a button, and 3) learn to hem. It is hard enough to teach one or two students those things...try 120 students (thirty at a time). Most of these kids had never held a needle or thread, which is probably why they called it a bobby pin and string.
Day one was spent teaching them how to put the thread through the eye of the needle and make a knot at the end of it. Seriously, that took most of a 50 minute class period. Between that and having them sew a straight stitch across a 4" square of fabric, I was frazzled by the end of the day.
Day two: sew on a button. With the fiasco from the day before, I was expecting the worst but it went surprisingly well. By now they could thread the needle and at least half of them could make a knot at the end of the thread so they helped one another. They seemed to enjoy the button sewing and many of them asked for extra buttons to decorate their baseball caps, backpacks, and even shoe laces with.
Things were definitely improving so today was hem day...by far the most difficult. First of all, I couldn't demonstrate it from the front of the room so I had to come around to each table and work with groups of 5 then move on. Just as I was starting with the second group, the previous table was having difficulties with their stitch and needed help. By the end of the day, my back ached and I didn't care what their hem looked like.
Many of them have said, "I'm never going to use this" to which I reply, "oh yes you will and every time you have to sew on a button, you'll thank Mrs. Benson for teaching you how to do it."
All I can say is that it has kept them quiet because they have to concentrate so hard on it.
12 comments:
Did you have to teach them a blind hem? My mom taught be that just a few months back a it even took me a couple min to get the hang of it. lol Good work! They needed those skills!
I think thats great. Genny and I were just talking the other night at dinner how she doesn't know how to sew on a button, or hem things. Can you believe she is Kristy's daughter!
SHOCKING! Wow. You are definitely making the world a better place by teaching the simple important basics of life! Even Tom Sawyer could thread a needle...sort of
You are teaching basic, valuable life skills! Honestly, sewing on a button is ever so much more useful than analyzing a literary character (my specialty). My mother taught me sewing basics, even though I protested that I would never use them and now I am so glad that I have even the very basic skills that I have.
I wish I had been there because I have been thinking about having a night like this at our monthly FHE with our grandchildren and I would have liked to watch how you did it! You are right...those kids will need these skills one day and they will remember Mrs. Benson and thank you for teaching them.
That is so great Lauri!!! They WILL use it, and they WILL be grateful!!!
Your poor aching back!!!
It's true - you are making the world a better place. It's funny that some basic life skills are so foreign to many people (not just kids). We have a very small basic garden in our front yard and it is interesting the comments we get from people who seemingly have never had dirt under their fingernails. What a foreign concept to actually grow things!
They will feel so proud when they can sew on their own buttons in college.
3 lessons they will surely need! I am not good at sewing, but I can do two of those!! My mom, bless her heart, does it all for me! Thank goodness! I am so appreciative that she at least taught me the basics- sadly, I don't think many parents do...thanks to you, they will have that!
What an adventure! I know my kids are some of the few that have known amongst their friends. thanks for spurring on the simple and plain skills to our youth!
Oh yes they will use it and thank you for it!
Gee thanks for spilling my secret Kelly...
Lauri- That is great that you taught those things to your students. As I read this post, I was thinking that I would have GLADLY taken your class. I am embarrassed to say that I do not know how to do any of that. I know I could learn it quickly, I just never have had to. My MOMMY always did it for me, and now I need to have her teach me.
Wow- that is incredible. I can't believe high schoolers find it hard to sew on a button. I understand hems are hard (I don't sew and find this difficult) but even I can handle a button! I want to make sure my kids can do this before high school. They will definitely be thanking you later!!
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