Knots 1 - 10

Rough draft of our knot tying curriculum! We are planning on teaching the children ten knots this summer. Children who master all ten knots can choose between moving on to cordage (foraging natural materials to make their own rope) or being an assistant at one of the knot-tying stations.

Here are some ideas of materials & activities we'd use to teach these knots. Each counselor will master one and run that particular station each week.

My vision is that we will hold a Knot Fair each Wednesday from 1:30 - 2 pm where children can have quiet time to work on the knot that is right for them, advancing through the levels according to their own individual pace.

Knot #1
Round Turn

location - outside

demonstrate with - jumprope

practice with - sidewalk chalk by having the children draw a picture (draw a circle to be the pole, then show how the rope goes around it)

extra exploration - bark rubbings, try experiments with texture and friction (does it stay when wrapped around a metal pole? a tree?)

proof of mastery - counselor observation

Knot #2
Slip Knot

location - outside

demonstrate with - yarn

practice with - yarn

extra exploration - finger knitting

proof of mastery - finger-knitted belt with nature treasures pouch

Knot #3
Overhand Knot

location - inside

demonstrate with - wire

practice with - yarn

proof of mastery - bead necklace

Knot #4
Bow Knot

location - inside

demonstrate with - egg carton and yarn

practice with - ribbon

extra exploration - practice on child's own shoes

proof of mastery - tie a ribbon and bow on a gift-wrapped box
(after they tie and untie the bow, we can open up the box and give them an IDNR Illinois Natural Resources Trading Card as a gift)

Knot #5
Square Knot

location - outside

demonstrate with - playdough "snakes" in two colors

practice with - rope

extra exploration - tie a piece of rope to a tree, then use a granny knot (two identical half knots) to attach your rope to the end of that rope, pull as hard as you can (the granny knot will slip or unravel)

proof of mastery - tie your rope on to that rope with a square knot and pull as hard as you can (the square knot will be more secure)

Knot #6
Fish Net

location - outside

demonstrate with - twine



practice with - twine

extra exploration - this project contains two knots; begin by teaching the lark's head knot and then review the overhand knot

proof of mastery - make a net and go try to catch fish in the lake!

http://switzerite.blogspot.com/2023/05/net-tying-in-grade-4-norse-mythology.html

Knot #7
Daisy Chain Knot

location - inside

demonstrate with - paracord

practice with - paracord

proof of mastery - paracord daisy chain bracelet

https://www.instructables.com/Paracord-Daisy-Chain/

Knot #8
Japanese Square Lashing Mark II

location - outside

demonstrate with - rope

practice with - rope

extra exploration - this project contains two knots; begin by teaching the Japanese Square Lashing and then review the square knot

proof of mastery - build a towel rack (that is strong enough to support the weight of your wet towel) by lashing sticks together

https://scoutmastercg.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/japanese-square-lashing-mkII.png

Knot #9
Bowline

location - inside

demonstrate with - rope

practice with - rope

extra exploration - water games (have a friend grab onto the "rescue" loop and pull him/her through the water in the shallow Splash Zone)

proof of mastery - teach a counselor (who doesn't know the knot)

Knot #10
Clove Hitch

location - inside

demonstrate with - rope

practice with - rope

proof of mastery - counselor observation

Recordkeeping: We can make up a 3" x 5" index card for each child, with the child's name at the top and the numbers 1-10 down the side. As they master each knot, the counselor for that station can initial the card by that number.

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