Knot Curriculum, Revised

Knot Curriculum! As we work our way through creating this thing, which is completely new to our camp, I want to keep notes on the process. The first vision we had is outlined here: Knots 1-10. While prepping and leading the first Knot Fair, on Wednesday, we spontaneously revised some of our ideas.

You will see that the biggest change is that we added six additional activities to strengthen fine motor skills and provide opportunities for children who found the knot-tying too intimidating. We added these after watching them struggle with sewing their Nature Treasure Pouches on Monday and Tuesday.

Here is the second draft of our plan:

WEEK ONE

#1 - Round Turn
whole group, outdoors, introduction to the Knot Fair, wrap a long thick rope several wraps around a large tree, have children in small groups play "tug of war" with the tree and then have each group go inside to join the Knot Fair

A - Yarn-Wrapped Sticks
pre-knot station to practice tension, have a Stick Wagon prepared in advance (or take the children on a nature walk to choose their own special sticks), use cotton yarn that will biodegrade if the children leave their sticks outside

extra idea: have the children add their colorful sticks to a giant collaborative bird nest sculpture/imaginative play area

B - Homemade Bubble Wands
pre-knot station to strengthen hands, use craft wire (12 or 14 gauge) to form a bubble wand in any shape, wrap wool yarn around the bubble wand (cover the loop entirely; don't cover the handle), go outside and test it out!

C - Running Stitch on Burlap

#2 - Slip Knot

D - Finger Knitting

E - Nature Treasures Pouch

F - Pony Reins with Bells

#3 - Overhand Knot

#4 - Bow Knot

#5 - Square Knot

#6 - Square Lashing (Reading a Diagram)

WEEK TWO

Set up same stations as week one, with the addition of

#7 - Tying a Fish Net

WEEK THREE

Set up same stations as week two, with the addition of

#8 - Daisy Chain Knot

WEEK FOUR

Set up same stations as week three, with the addition of

#9 - Bowline Knot

WEEK FIVE

Set up same stations as week four, with the addition of

#10 - Clove Hitch

WEEK SIX

Set up same stations as week five, with the addition of making cordage.

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