After two years of planning, our school is moving from a 7-period day to block scheduling in School Year 2017-2018. I am excited for this change because our students, who struggle academically, will be able to give more attention to fewer subjects each semester. Additionally, in a strategic effort to engage kids and address their gaps, quarterly support modules will be offered to supplement particular academic, artistic, and/or social-emotional needs of students. Three times a week for a quarter, the support module I will lead will give me the chance to share my creative passion and teach kids how to make their way around a sewing room.
Learning to drive a sewing machine will require learning all about sewing tools and using them safely, reading and interpreting patterns, taking measurements, calculating fabric yardage, visualizing layouts, optimizing yardage for minimal waste, and persevering in completing a project even when a seam ripper is required on multiple occasions. Practicing these skills will help develop students' numeracy skills, spatial awareness including symmetry and reflection, attention to detail, and ability to strategize and solve problems. To begin, we need sewing machines, a serger, and cutting tools and mats.
Each quarter, 15 different students will get to take my support module - that's 60 students each year! Ultimately, they will choose their projects, but I have already imagined what I will propose as potentials: designing, sewing, and decorating our school with custom quilt blocks, sewing and selling flags, tote bags, or pencil cases to raise funds for our GSA, Eurotrip, or other clubs, or learning some hand-sewing skills to offer hemming services for faculty and staff. No matter what they choose, there will be ample opportunity for students to grow and develop personally. And, there will be the added benefit of taking pride in having made a valuable and artistic contribution to their own community.
About my class
After two years of planning, our school is moving from a 7-period day to block scheduling in School Year 2017-2018. I am excited for this change because our students, who struggle academically, will be able to give more attention to fewer subjects each semester. Additionally, in a strategic effort to engage kids and address their gaps, quarterly support modules will be offered to supplement particular academic, artistic, and/or social-emotional needs of students. Three times a week for a quarter, the support module I will lead will give me the chance to share my creative passion and teach kids how to make their way around a sewing room.
Learning to drive a sewing machine will require learning all about sewing tools and using them safely, reading and interpreting patterns, taking measurements, calculating fabric yardage, visualizing layouts, optimizing yardage for minimal waste, and persevering in completing a project even when a seam ripper is required on multiple occasions. Practicing these skills will help develop students' numeracy skills, spatial awareness including symmetry and reflection, attention to detail, and ability to strategize and solve problems. To begin, we need sewing machines, a serger, and cutting tools and mats.
Each quarter, 15 different students will get to take my support module - that's 60 students each year! Ultimately, they will choose their projects, but I have already imagined what I will propose as potentials: designing, sewing, and decorating our school with custom quilt blocks, sewing and selling flags, tote bags, or pencil cases to raise funds for our GSA, Eurotrip, or other clubs, or learning some hand-sewing skills to offer hemming services for faculty and staff. No matter what they choose, there will be ample opportunity for students to grow and develop personally. And, there will be the added benefit of taking pride in having made a valuable and artistic contribution to their own community.
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