TEACHING WIN

[goldvermilion87]

I started crocheting scarves a few weeks ago.  Don't get excited.  I'm not good at crafts.  I just have the patience to keep at them, provided I've been given very clear directions.

And these scarves are REALLY easy, because you just use one stitch on this special yarn that's already most of the work done for you.  My seventh grade girls REALLY liked the first scarf they saw me wearing, and wanted to know where I got it.  I was going to give them some of the many random scarves I'd made, but then I decided I'd teach them HOW to make them.  (This is a class that definitely spends more time texting and watching TV than I imagine I'd like a seventh grader of mine to spend.  You can see the resulting lack of patience/focus/etc.)  And they all said yes, they'd like to learn.

So, this lunch period, I taught them all how to do it.  They are all very excited about making their scarves, and they all look so cute sitting there crocheting.  And then one of the girls -- the most "I prefer texting about Justin Bieber to any other activity in the whole world" one of them all -- said to me, "My mom will come in tomorrow and give you a big hug and say THANK YOU!  SHE ISN'T TEXTING!"

Which made my day. 


Now if only I could figure out a way to get a student to say "My mom is going to come in and hug you and say "THANK YOU!  SHE STUDIES LATIN EVERY DAY!"

Comments

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

Yea!

I realize that unless they all eventually start up etsy shops it's not really a direct parallel, but I couldn't stop myself from thinking, "What a 'teach a man to fish' moment."

Crochet is fun. I do it in fits and starts but I'm pretty limited in my repetoire of stitches, so simple patterns only. I do love seeing people doing olde tyme crafty things in public.

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

Well, if it helps them preserve the ability to focus, it really is "teaching a man to fish". The very limited ability to concentrate that I'm seeing in some of these kids is scary. I want them to be able to survive in the world, you know?

[theteej2.livejournal.com]

This is one of the most awesome posts I have ever read!

I fondly remember, as an eight year old, being taught how to crochet by my Great-Grandmother. You saw that right, my Great-Grandma Banks. That ability to crochet seemed to have skipped my Grandma and my Mom and lit on me. I am forever in my Great Grandmother's debt for the gift she imparted to me as a child, clear back in the early 1970's.

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

It is really fun. I bought myself a book about how to do crocheting without the cool scarf material, because I'd like to be able to make stuff, and I'd rather deal with one needle than two. :-P

[hagstrom]

That sounds really cool! umm may I ask: how or where did you learn? It's just, when I was around 12 I wanted to learn, so my grandma gave me a yarn and the needles and sort of thought I already knew the basics but at my blank stare she tried and failed spectacularly to teach me. (it was not her fault, mind you, I just don't have the patience when all I get is "you do this and then this and that's it!")

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

Well, I've crocheted chains before. That's not terribly complicated. And a friend showed it to me. Once you see the steps on this yarn, you'd see how easy it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TbeTLuVKFE (we did something quote similar)

Real crocheting would be more difficult.

[hagstrom]

Thanks so much for that link!! And well I'm in no hurry to learn real crocheting anyway =)

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

Cool! :-) You're such an awesome teacher.

We learned to cross-stitch in sixth grade -- it was a class Christmas project -- and it became one of my favorite hobbies. Haven't done it lately, though -- I'm afraid patience is not my strong suit! But I would like to get back to it one of these days.

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

I LOVE cross-stitching!

Have I posted pictures of my not-yet-complete "Mind Palace" pillow cover cross-stitch?

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

I don't think so -- please do!

[debriswoman]

Clearly a teacher by instinct and design:-)

I am delighted by your success with such a creative enterprise.

"some of the many random scarves I'd made" -that conjures up a great, if somewhat chaotic, image:-)

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

It is an even more chaotic image if you see it. :-P

[med_cat]

Post some pictures? ;)

[med_cat]

Good work :)

[scarvenartist.livejournal.com]

That is awesome! And speaking of, I reallyreally want to learn how to do these scarves. I used to crochet once upon a time. The "special yarn" you speak of--I've seen the "Sashay" yarn that Red Heart makes. Is that what you use?

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

That sort of yarn, yes. I keep getting brands mixed up, but one is a much bigger weave and therefore not as nice.

And they're REALLY easy to do!