Weaving Up A Storm - Elucidation/Illumination - More Teaching Video Reflection

Weaving can be a daunting task for a second grader.  Yet, the alternating, interlocking concept is within their reach.  The video I took some days earlier demonstrates this point.  Children can learn when given the materials and the instruction they need.  The student/teacher-made instructional video assists in a major fashion as well as the power-point presented to the class.  The observational video I took with the second grade class helps me understand that students need practice and opportunity to develop skills.

4-7 second graders out of a class of 19-24 students can understand the concept and achieve success without teacher input.  3-5 students have real trouble grasping the over-under process and most likely will not achieve success with attentive teacher input.  The weaving process presents a host of problems for this age group due to their lack of dexterity and cognitive development.  They find out that their fingers are used for other things other than digging in their nose and scooping mud and food.  And their eyes are useful not only to keep from running into walls, but also for close observation.  An absurd way to present their predicament, yet it is somewhat based in truth.  Success for those second graders will come only with persistence.  They must persistently pursue weaving paper.  A relentless desire to succeed must be present.

One child in particular achieved success after three one hour sessions.  No, I didn't make him stay in art for three hours straight.  These 1 hour classes were spread out over 3-4 weeks.  About half way through the third session he got an apostrophe, I mean an epiphany.  You know, a sudden intuitive perception or insight, an appearance or manifestation, not of a deity, rather a concept.  In this case the concept of alternation and interlocking . . . weaving!  The time?  Noteworthy (2 & 1/2 hours).  The effort, attention, and determination?  At times elusive (he can play around in class) yet, he was successful.  The look of achievement and success on his face?  You guessed it.  Priceless!  This eureka moment was brought to you by the arts and he will remember it for sometime because I will remind him of it for as long as he attends Adamsville.  A child must discover what persistence can achieve.  Likewise, he will discover, although unconsciously and perhaps unintentionally, what wages the lack of persistence will bring.  The final product is important, it is a physical symbol of his success.  Yet the process is a fierce, critical battle and so very, very crucial.