First and Second Grade Embroidery

This is one of the lessons that I absolutely love teaching, and first and second graders love embroidery!  First grade explores with the materials until they fill the space.  Second grade follows along a heart I traced on the 5x5in piece of burlap and then completes the artwork with their own designs.  

On the first day, students learn how to get the yarn on their needle (Paper hot dog!  Put the yarn inside and slide it through the eye of the needle) and how to make stitches in a line.  On the second day, I allow students to use the yarn boxes and I teach them how to sew on beads.  Some classes take four weeks on this project, others need five or six.  

For managing yarn, I have had no issues with using a plastic yarn box.  I keep two boxes and have tons of colors for students to choose from, because new colors each week is quite exciting.  Getting a new piece of yarn is easy: students simply pull the yarn to the tape on the bottom of the cabinets and cut at the top line.  If the yarn does get stuck, students know to just come get me and it's usually an easy fix.  I keep scissors on top of the boxes, so no one is walking around with them.  To start the project, I have students take a piece of pre-cut yarn to help reduce the amount of new procedures.  

From one first grade class

From one second grade class