Indoor Spider Web Weaving

The children have continued with their interest in spiders so today I thought it would be fun to have a mini spider playscape that promoted cooperation, storytelling, and mathematical observations.

We used two sturdy logs. I stuck pushpins into the top surface of the log and encouraged the children to connect the logs with a mathematical experience or tool we have in our classroom. The children immediately suggested that the pegs on the log reminded them of our geoboards. We brainstormed how we could use the pegs to make spider webs. The children were keen to weave and wind fuzzy white yarn in order to make as realistic a web as possible.

As the children wove they counted how many times around the pegs they went - 1, 2, 3... They noticed shapes emerging in the web and compared to see which was the largest shape. 

"Look! I see so many triangles! How many are there?"

"The outside needs a longer piece of yarn than the middle."

"It reminds me of a pizza with all the little parts inside."

The children wanted to connect the two logs together with a web so the spiders could move from one place to another. They needed to cooperate and problem solve how to connect the webs without disrupting the original one. Once the web continued they needed to find a way to keep the web from unraveling. They noticed the bigger spiders were heavier and would sink lower on the middle web. I overheard much rich mathematical conversation as the children played with the spiders. 

At the end of the day we unwound the web and I challenged the children to think of what we might add to the logs tomorrow to make the spider playscape even more interesting....perhaps some prey for the spiders? What would you add to the playscape?

Spider Dramatic Playscape

The children have been fascinated by spiders this week. We have read stories about them and used them as math manipulatives in some of our ten frame activities.  Today the children hoped to bring them outside.

 

"We can use yarn for the web! We can spin a web ourselves for them!"

 

The children took turns weaving and winding a light coloured length of yarn around a circle of tree stumps.

 

 

This took some coordination and effort as the children had to move over and under the yarn in order to create a realistic web.

"Look at all the shapes! There are a lot of triangles in this web!"  Math is everywhere, even outdoors the children observed!

After the web was created the children used the stumps as chairs and sat in a circle in order to play together more effectively.

As an observer I overheard much rich oral language in the children's discussions. They were roleplaying that the spiders were a family on the hunt for food - this involved turn taking, speaking in role, and the use of specialized vocabulary in order to make the play meaningful and realistic.

 

Many children participated and although the spiders looked quite realistic, no child was too scared to play.

As an eco-focused school instilling a love and respect for nature and all living things is a priority. What better way to help children appreciate nature then by encouraging them to play with realistic spiders right out in the beautiful autumn sun!

Eventually the spiders were on the move and found new homes in the yard! I can't wait to see what adventures await us on Monday!

 

Colourful Yarn

Children practised fine motor skills while persevering with a challenging task today as they sewed with colourful yarn on a soft chicken wire base.

The variety of yarn colour and texture was interesting and the children spent much time weaving their favourites together on the base. 

As the children worked they engaged in rich conversation together reminiscent of social sewing circles. 

Rich math talk also emerged as children discussed the different lengths of yarn needed for their project. 

Sewing

Today we offered the children an experience with sewing meant to strengthen children's fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and perseverance. We used plastic needles, yarn, and a special fabric made with holes that could help the children practise using their needles. 

The children were so interested in this center and most attempted this experience. Some children spent their entire playtime exploring these materials. 

This activity required lots of patience. The children had to cut their length of yarn the proper length, thread the yarn into the needle, and carefully see their designs. 

This is excellent fine motor practice, which will help strengthen little fingers and help prepare them for future writing and drawing experiences. 

What beautifully seen pieces of art!

The next step was to offer children additional interesting materials to sew - plastic lacing string, ribbon, and other textured yarn. 

Ribbon Weaving

We used an old picture frame filled with chicken wire and recycled ribbon to create a communal piece of art. 

The children took turns spending time working at the center independently and in pairs. 

Weaving is a peaceful and calming form of artwork that also strengthens fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

Natural Weaving

Weaving is a great way to create beautiful art and provide opportunities for children to strengthen fine motor control and hand-eye coordination. We taped chicken wire to old picture frames and provided children with scissors. 

Outside the children were encouraged to find interesting things in nature and cut them for use in their natural weaving. 

They worked together in pairs creating beautiful artwork together. 

This was a challenging task but they stuck with it and the result was a beautiful piece of natural artwork! 

Beautiful!

Outdoor Weaving

It was another beautiful day around here! I wanted to add more outdoor art areas to our backyard so I created a 'weaving area' underneath the kids' climber. I attached a short piece of chicken wire between the two support posts using zip ties.

We used the ribbon from our indoor art area. The kids were really amazed when I brought the ribbon outside - they were surprised that it could be used outdoors too!

I encouraged them to think about what pieces they'd like to use - considering the colours, sizes, and textures of the ribbons when creating their communal art.

Cutting the ribbon and weaving it through the wire were excellent fine motor activities, especially for my three year old son! Because this was a communal piece of art much problem solving and cooperation were needed in order for the kids to be successful.

The result? A beautiful piece of art that can stay outside and be added to every once in a while when the kids feel like weaving! Maybe the birds will borrow some ribbon for their nests!