[lace] Teaching children
Hi Lyn Re: Subject: [lace] Ancillary to Teaching Lace to Children Teaching lace to children is part of the survival of lacemaking. I have always thought that lacemaking, especially geometric Torchon, has the ability to help the mind work mathematically.. I am sure you are right. The best lacemakers are computer programmers, maths graduates and architects and anything that develops judgement of space and line is bound to help. Happy lacemaking Alex - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
I am one of those computer programmers and math types. I love making Pag needlelace because of the logic and geometric properties of it. In this part of my career, I no longer program but the lace fills that spot. I have had the same experience with demonstrating, the little boys pick it up quickly. From: alexstillw...@talktalk.net alexstillw...@talktalk.net To: Arachne reply lace@arachne.com Cc: Lyn Bailey lynrbai...@desupernet.net Sent: Sunday, July 7, 2013 1:51 AM Subject: [lace] Teaching children Hi Lyn Re: Subject: [lace] Ancillary to Teaching Lace to Children Teaching lace to children is part of the survival of lacemaking. I have always thought that lacemaking, especially geometric Torchon, has the ability to help the mind work mathematically.. I am sure you are right. The best lacemakers are computer programmers, maths graduates and architects and anything that develops judgement of space and line is bound to help. Happy lacemaking Alex - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
I am one of those computer programmers and math types. I love making Pag needlelace because of the logic and geometric properties of it. In this part of my career, I no longer program but the lace fills that spot. I have had the same experience with demonstrating, the little boys pick it up quickly. From: alexstillw...@talktalk.net alexstillw...@talktalk.net To: Arachne reply lace@arachne.com Cc: Lyn Bailey lynrbai...@desupernet.net Sent: Sunday, July 7, 2013 1:51 AM Subject: [lace] Teaching children Hi Lyn Re: Subject: [lace] Ancillary to Teaching Lace to Children Teaching lace to children is part of the survival of lacemaking. I have always thought that lacemaking, especially geometric Torchon, has the ability to help the mind work mathematically.. I am sure you are right. The best lacemakers are computer programmers, maths graduates and architects and anything that develops judgement of space and line is bound to help. Happy lacemaking Alex - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
Dear Alex et al, Precisely. It could be an 'in' at schools. I have not had any close connection with school children for over 10 years, but girls especially are not inclined to math. Presenting lacemaking, especially bobbin lacemaking as a way to develop spatial thinking, (physics?) or patterns, or algorithms through the visual manipulation of bobbins, using thread, the traditional (though not unique) province of the female could be a powerful way to introduce lacemaking into the schools, or at least get them to allow a poster advertising classes. And for those of you with children looking for masters or doctoral theses, this would be a good place. I am a wiz with math without numbers, but my last math class was 46 years ago, and while I use math, I am not familiar with the terms. What are the fancy math terms that could be used to show this is a craft with skills useful to the the core curriculum of schools? A means to possible entice reluctant girls to develop the skills needed in math and some of the sciences? Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, where the weather continues hot, humid, and air conditioning is a blessing. Lyn wrote: Teaching lace to children is part of the survival of lacemaking. I have always thought that lacemaking, especially geometric Torchon, has the ability to help the mind work mathematically.. Alex wrote: I am sure you are right. The best lacemakers are computer programmers, maths graduates and architects and anything that develops judgement of space and line is bound to help. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
I was lucky enough to demonstrate with my local group at a recent 'county' event. One of the group brought a 'have a go' pillow along and we asked anyone passing if they would like to try lacemaking. Adults and children alike tried the pillow. The adults would do a row and stop but the children wanted to keep going and had to be politely pulled away by their parents. There is something in lacemaking that children and young adults seem to be able to pick up quickly. I believe that no person who shows an interest in lacemaking should be turned away but I passionate believe that unless we can start lessons and clubs for children and young adults we will see this craft die in the next 10 to 20 years. Focusing on those who are retiring early, as was suggested to me because they have time and disposable income, is pointless in the UK as early retirement is becoming harder and harder. So this group is diminishing too. We must find a way to not merely super young Lacemakers but to actively increase them. I'm working with my local fibre store to run Saturday workshops for young adults. It gives us a ready made venue which is public and safe and not school nights easier to attend. I'm happy if we get new Lacemakers under the age of 25 and as we are a university town we have a big population in that demographic that we can pull on Kind Regards Liz Baker On 7 Jul 2013, at 06:51, alexstillw...@talktalk.net wrote: Hi Lyn Re: Subject: [lace] Ancillary to Teaching Lace to Children Teaching lace to children is part of the survival of lacemaking. I have always thought that lacemaking, especially geometric Torchon, has the ability to help the mind work mathematically.. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
I am astonished that no one has challenged the notion that people with superior math/science/computer programming skills make the best lacemakers!! It may be that those who are making the claims happen to have those skills, but being able to execute a lace pattern is not the same as making it a thing of beauty, which separates the competent lacemaker from the extraordinary one. And it take an artist to design the lace in the first place. I would like to suggest that teaching children to make lace would broaden their horizons in many ways, allowing the potentials with which they were born to develop. Clay - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
I no longer have a child in school, but I was talking to an elementary school teacher the other day. She made the interesting claim that now that penmanship is being de-emphasized in favor of key boarding, she observes that the children are not developing fine motor skills as in the past. In fact, she said some of them cannot even use scissors competently. I was actually never very good at penmanship myself, and wish they had abolished it earlier, but it is interesting to think that there might be a lot of people who are not developing fine motor skills as a result. Has this been observed by anyone else? Of course, nothing develops fine motor skills like lacemaking :-), so perhaps that is the in for the link to childhood education. On the other hand, if children are not developing fine motor skills, where will the lacemakers of tomorrow come from? Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
Dear Clay, et al, So, which horizons specifically would be broadened? If one is trying to promote lacemaking as a skill capable of developing other capabilities of the mind, to persuade educators and others to help with teaching children by promoting the craft, providing space, all that, one needs to be specific. Generalities do not work nearly as well in such an argument. lrb Clay wrote: I would like to suggest that teaching children to make lace would broaden their horizons in many ways, allowing the potentials with which they were born to develop. My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Lace and math, was Teaching children
Dear Clay, et al, That is not what was said. The point is that many women whose minds are mathematically, etc. inclined are drawn to lacemaking. That is, of course, not the only group drawn to the craft, but there seems to be a fairly large number of such math, etc. types who are drawn. There are, of course, other aspects of lacemaking which draw other people to the art, but that argument will not go nearly as far in promoting lacemaking in children, as there are so many other disciplines, areas, that do that. Music, the arts, painting, to name a few. But since those areas do not involve lace, I was emphasizing the mathematical connection. And note, I mentioned Torchon in particular. Flanders would be another mathematical lace. Binche went beyond that, and while it incorporates Flanders in some ways, it went on to other areas as well. lrb I am astonished that no one has challenged the notion that people with superior math/science/computer programming skills make the best lacemakers!! It may be that those who are making the claims happen to have those skills, but being able to execute a lace pattern is not the same as making it a thing of beauty, which separates the competent lacemaker from the extraordinary one. And it take an artist to design the lace in the first place. My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children-Scandinavian schools
It seems as though Scandinavian schools, in the past at least, had a crafts curriculum. When I was young a girl moved to our neighborhood from Norway. She had a complete set of doll clothes that she had knitted. When I asked her about it, she said she had knitted them in school. Why don't we do things like this in our school, I recall thinking. Later, I met a lacemaker who was Scandinavian, and she said she had learned bobbin lace, and many other crafts, because her best friend's mother was the administrator in charge of hand crafts for the local school district. I recall thinking, wow, they actually have such a position in schools there. So, what is the educational justification that Scandinavians use, or used for this curriculum? Do they still do it? Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Lace and math, was Teaching children
Just a note that when we label people or try to slot folks into a groove, there is always the exception. while it makes good fodder, we usually are narrow minded ourselves to think that only certain capabilities create certain things. last was the folks who lurk now it is mathmatically inclined. if you have a strong opinion great but please try not to force or defend your opinion on the others who may have their protective talents get their hairs up. let's share the positive and the good and the tips that you earn (not just learn) in making our craft wonderfully rewarding. i read this new thought and considered it in relation to my close family and friends and could see correlation. wonderful brain activity for me and a few smiles - not chuckles tho. now there seems a war developing in the list - my energy is better spent at the pillow. On Sun, Jul 7, 2013 at 6:55 AM, lynrbai...@desupernet.net wrote: Dear Clay, et al, That is not what was said. The point is that many women whose minds are mathematically, etc. inclined are drawn to lacemaking. That is, of course, not the only group drawn to the craft, but there seems to be a fairly large number of such math, etc. types who are drawn. There are, of course, other aspects of lacemaking which draw other people to the art, but that argument will not go nearly as far in promoting lacemaking in children, as there are so many other disciplines, areas, that do that. Music, the arts, painting, to name a few. But since those areas do not involve lace, I was emphasizing the mathematical connection. And note, I mentioned Torchon in particular. Flanders would be another mathematical lace. Binche went beyond that, and while it incorporates Flanders in some ways, it went on to other areas as well. lrb I am astonished that no one has challenged the notion that people with superior math/science/computer programming skills make the best lacemakers!! It may be that those who are making the claims happen to have those skills, but being able to execute a lace pattern is not the same as making it a thing of beauty, which separates the competent lacemaker from the extraordinary one. And it take an artist to design the lace in the first place. My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ -- Hugs, Lin and the Mali If we concentrated on the really important stuff in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
I wouldn't try to promote lacemaking as a way to develop other tangible life skills. The outcome is entirely dependent on the individual. What excites one person may drive another crazy. Don't let lacemaking go the same route as the forced piano lessons of childhood! Clay Sent from my iPad On Jul 7, 2013, at 9:48 AM, lynrbai...@desupernet.net wrote: Dear Clay, et al, So, which horizons specifically would be broadened? If one is trying to promote lacemaking as a skill capable of developing other capabilities of the mind, to persuade educators and others to help with teaching children by promoting the craft, providing space, all that, one needs to be specific. Generalities do not work nearly as well in such an argument. lrb Clay wrote: I would like to suggest that teaching children to make lace would broaden their horizons in many ways, allowing the potentials with which they were born to develop. My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Lace and maths
Hi Clay In my experience those with a maths bias tend to be more accurate and can understand how the threads work. In the many years I have been teaching I have come across many who show this ability and who should have been good at maths, but sadly for some reason or other it did not happen. Starting my career teaching maths/science I have always been interested to find out why not. Surprisingly sometimes it was as simple as returning to school after an illness to find the subject had moved on and they feeling they could not catch up assumed they could not do it. Just because a person thinks she cannot do maths does not mean that the ability to think logically and âseeâ straight lines is not there. Being mathematical is not at the expense of being creative. You can be both, although there are some who require perfection and making lace that is geometrically accurate is essential. These lacemakers prefer the geometrical laces and find it very hard to make floral Bucks and the Lester type Beds in which judgement is frequently made between two techniques, neither of which will give a perfect result. Fortunately there are so many different forms of lacemaking that we can all find plenty to satisfy our individual needs. Happy lacemaking whichever type you make and whether you can do maths or not. Alex - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Lace and math, was Teaching children
I dont know about lacemaking but when my daughter was about eight I volunteered to teach some children to crochet and I sat around a circular table with several girls helping each one to get the hang of how to make it work, even managing to change hands and do it left handed for one little girl (I have recently tried to do that again for a friend and over 30 years later my brain and hands wouldn't respond). There was a joy and eagerness within the group and others in the glass doing other crafts. As with all arts, crafts and lessons I think that a variety of people will respond but not all, so agree it wouldn't be right to push all to take it up. Many of you have had excellent responses from young boys as well as girls with the fishes and the snakes rather than the strips of lace but if they see a variety of types and have chance to try themselves, I think there might well be a good response. Anything else it teaches the children and we know there are lots of benefits to be gained would be really good. Sue T Dorset UK where we have been basking in fabulous sunshine now for days:-) At last Dear Clay, et al, That is not what was said. The point is that many women whose minds are mathematically, etc. inclined are drawn to lacemaking. That is, of course, not the only group drawn to the craft, but there seems to be a fairly large number of such math, etc. types who are drawn. There are, of course, other aspects of lacemaking which draw other people to the art, but that argument will not go nearly as far in promoting lacemaking in children, as there are so many other disciplines, areas, that do that. Music, the arts, painting, to name a few. But since those areas do not involve lace, I was emphasizing the mathematical connection. And note, I mentioned Torchon in particular. Flanders would be another mathematical lace. Binche went beyond that, and while it incorporates Flanders in some ways, it went on to other areas as well. lrb I am astonished that no one has challenged the notion that people with superior math/science/computer programming skills make the best lacemakers!! It may be that those who are making the claims happen to have those skills, but being able to execute a lace pattern is not the same as making it a thing of beauty, which separates the competent lacemaker from the extraordinary one. And it take an artist to design the lace in the first place. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
Hello Clay and everyone Yes, learning to make lace is best by choice. I like this : ... Don't let lacemaking go the same route as the forced piano lessons of childhood! -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Lace and math, was Teaching children
Hi Sue and fellow Arachnids, Have you tried showing a left-hander a technique in the mirror. It works for some though not for all. Happy lace making, Joepie, in sunny East Sussex. -Original Message- From: Sue Sent: Sunday, July 07, 2013 6:13 PM Cc: lace@arachne.com Subject: Re: [lace] Lace and math, was Teaching children I dont know about lacemaking but when my daughter was about eight I volunteered to teach some children to crochet and I sat around a circular table with several girls helping each one to get the hang of how to make it work, even managing to change hands and do it left handed for one little girl (I have recently tried to do that again for a friend and over 30 years later my brain and hands wouldn't respond). There was a joy and eagerness within the group and others in the glass doing other crafts. As with all arts, crafts and lessons I think that a variety of people will respond but not all, so agree it wouldn't be right to push all to take it up. Many of you have had excellent responses from young boys as well as girls with the fishes and the snakes rather than the strips of lace but if they see a variety of types and have chance to try themselves, I think there might well be a good response. Anything else it teaches the children and we know there are lots of benefits to be gained would be really good. Sue T Dorset UK where we have been basking in fabulous sunshine now for days:-) At last Dear Clay, et al, - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
Yes, but didn't this start out as a conversation about how to make that choice available to children in the face of an unsympathetic school district that would not allow the posting of an A2 piece of paper announcing the availability of children's lace lessons? Devon Hello Clay and everyone Yes, learning to make lace is best by choice. I like this : ... Don't let lacemaking go the same route as the forced piano lessons of childhood! - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Lace and maths
Hi all As a non mathematical person I feel I must comment from those of us who are mathematically challenged. I like to think I am a reasonable lacemaker, I can draw out patterns on graph paper and use a lace design programme and I teach students how to draw out patterns to help understand the working of lace. But I cannot add up for toffee and some maths completely confuses me. I admit I am better with floral type laces, Bucks, Honiton etc but I don't like to make mistakes and teach accordingly. Please give consideration to non mathematical Lacemakers as well. There is a place for us all. Regards Maureen On 7 Jul 2013, at 17:53, alexstillw...@talktalk.net wrote: Hi Clay In my experience those with a maths bias tend to be more accurate and can understand how the threads work. In the many years I have been teaching I have come across many who show this ability and who should have been good at maths, but sadly for some reason or other it did not happen. Starting my career teaching maths/science I have always been interested to find out why not. Surprisingly sometimes it was as simple as returning to school after an illness to find the subject had moved on and they feeling they could not catch up assumed they could not do it. Just because a person thinks she cannot do maths does not mean that the ability to think logically and ‘see’ straight lines is not there. Being mathematical is not at the expense of being creative. You can be both, although there are some who require perfection and making lace that is geometrically accurate is essential. These lacemakers prefer the geometrical laces and find it very hard to make floral Bucks and the Lester type Beds in which judgement is frequently made between two techniques, neither of which will give a perfect result. Fortunately there are so many different forms of lacemaking that we can all find plenty to satisfy our individual needs. Happy lacemaking whichever type you make and whether you can do maths or not. Alex - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
Good evening I have spent the last two days demonstrating lacemaking at our local garden centre which is really a converted greenhouse on what is probably the hottest weekend on this year's English summer and am happy to say that not only did we encourage one teenager yesterday to make a fish in lace and take home but today four children completed the fish as did one adult. There was lots of interest and we may well have a couple of ladies starting lace classes including the grandmother of the teenager from yesterday in the next couple of weeks with maybe more interested in starting in the future. The challenge is if they complete the fish they get to take it home to keep. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Regards Maureen E Yorks UK On 7 Jul 2013, at 19:47, dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: Yes, but didn't this start out as a conversation about how to make that choice available to children in the face of an unsympathetic school district that would not allow the posting of an A2 piece of paper announcing the availability of children's lace lessons? Devon Hello Clay and everyone Yes, learning to make lace is best by choice. I like this : ... Don't let lacemaking go the same route as the forced piano lessons of childhood! - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Lace and math, was Teaching children
I knew there was a way but not on that day. Sue T Hi Sue and fellow Arachnids, Have you tried showing a left-hander a technique in the mirror. It works for some though not for all. Happy lace making, Joepie, in sunny East Sussex. I dont know about lacemaking but when my daughter was about eight I volunteered to teach some children to crochet and I sat around a circular table with several girls helping each one to get the hang of how to make it work, even managing to change hands and do it left handed for one little girl (I have recently tried to do that again for a friend and over 30 years later my brain and hands wouldn't respond). Sue T Dorset UK where we have been basking in fabulous sunshine now for days:-) At last - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
Well done! I hope they do come to your group. Joepie. -Original Message- From: Maureen Sent: Sunday, July 07, 2013 8:28 PM To: dmt11h...@aol.com Cc: lace@arachne.com Subject: Re: [lace] Teaching children Good evening I have spent the last two days demonstrating lacemaking at our local garden centre which is really a converted greenhouse on what is probably the hottest weekend on this year's English summer and am happy to say that not only did we encourage one teenager yesterday to make a fish in lace and take home but today four children completed the fish as did one adult. There was lots of interest and we may well have a couple of ladies starting lace classes including the grandmother of the teenager from yesterday in the next couple of weeks with maybe more interested in starting in the future. The challenge is if they complete the fish they get to take it home to keep. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Regards Maureen E Yorks UK - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Teaching lace to children in school
Thanks to Lauren, who tipped me off that this discussion was going on! I don't know if my experiences and thoughts might be useful, but here they are, in no particular order: I teach students to use computers in a small, private elementary school. Because it is private, we are not tied to the test-driven curriculum teachers in public schools must work within--we get to decide what we think is important, and how to teach it. I am lucky enough to work with an experienced, creative, and open staff. In conjunction with the art teacher, I teach 4th and/or 5th graders a little basic bobbin lace once a year (It depends on the characteristics of the class exactly what we do and with which students). I've played with different projects--the fish is one I came up with several years ago. The last two years, we've made cloth-stich bracelets. The kids love it! I work in a little bit of history, tying it both to the Elizabethan age for 5th graders, since that's often a curriculum focus, and to colonial America, since the 4th graders usually study that time. I should add that the art teacher incorporates at least one fiber-arts technique project each year for each grade--embroidery, weaving She's also considered knitting and crochet, and might do those some year. What do the kids get out of it, other than the delight of creating something (in itself valuable)? As others have mentioned, fine motor skills is one important thing. The whole staff has observed a general deterioration of fine motor skills in the entering students over the years we've been teaching. (I should add that at this point, we are one of the schools that still teaches cursive, in addition to touch-typing.) We do our best to get them using scissors, tying knots, folding paper, drawing, painting, gluing, etc. I'm convinced, although I've not seen research to back this hunch up, that using the hands for fine-motor work develops brain structures that affect more abstract learning--spacial thinking in particular, although I suspect it's much broader. Here's another thought: This year, one of my students was autistic. He is highly intelligent in many ways, but struggles with certain kinds of learning and particularly with social skills and managing his emotions. We didn't know if the bobbin lace was going to be too frustrating, or if he'd just take to it's rhythm and enjoy it. It turned out the latter. In fact, his primary teacher, watching him with the project, observed she'd never seen him so contented. He was the easiest student in the class to teach. His mother was so thrilled to find an activity that keeps him happy, she went out and bought equipment (unfortunately, yes, the Horror Kit, before I had discussed it with her--but we salvaged the bobbins, and ignored the rest). She asked for a lesson with me so she could help him. I think we'll be continuing, adding skills as he likes, although he has now graduated from our school and will be going on to middle school next year. This experience makes me think one place we could look for interested teachers/students is the special-education programs working with autistic spectrum students. But I am lucky. I have enormous sympathy for the public school teachers who must give several precious weeks of teaching over to testing, and are often locked to a curriculum focused almost entirely on their students' performance on the tests. I think I have more to say on this topic, but I have to leave it for another post. --Julie E. in Seattle weft.wlonk.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Sad news
Gentle Spiders, I am sorry to report to you that Ruth Budge's husband, Cliff, died four weeks ago after a fourteen year battle with Alzheimer's. I know she would be comforted by your notes to her. Her email address is thelacema...@optusnet.com.au Many of you know Ruth for her valuable work making the Lace design programs more accessible to us over the years. As Lace R-XP has been replaced by Lace 8, Ruth's work goes on. Clay Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA, USA Sent from my iPad - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children excample of success
Dear Maureen, Congratulations on a job well done. That took a lot of work, preparing and then being there, enticing, saying the right thing, encouraging. That is the way we will get our beloved craft/art to continue. Lyn Maureen wrote: I have spent the last two days demonstrating lacemaking at our local garden centre which is really a converted greenhouse on what is probably the hottest weekend on this year's English summer and am happy to say that not only did we encourage one teenager yesterday to make a fish in lace and take home but today four children completed the fish as did one adult. There was lots of interest and we may well have a couple of ladies starting lace classes including the grandmother of the teenager from yesterday in the next couple of weeks with maybe more interested in starting in the future. The challenge is if they complete the fish they get to take it home to keep. I am keeping my fingers crossed. My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Fw: Re: [lace] Lace and maths
Dear Maureen, et al, I can't add, subtract, multiply and divide worth anything. I can do it, but I don't like to. I thank God for calculators. In my opinion they spoil math by putting numbers in. But it does seem to me that there are a lot of math types making lace. Whether their lace is better or worse due to their skill in math is an open question, in my opinion, yet they are drawn to lace. It draws us for all sorts of reasons. There is room at the lace pillow for all types. There is, I think you will agree, a mathematical aspect to lace. Doesn't mean you have to be a math expert to do it. Your drawing on graph paper, and using a computer program for lace design can be considered mathematical. One learns a lot of things making lace, from the proper winding of bobbins to solving the puzzle of why there is an extra pair where it doesn't belong. I suspect that some of these skills require the same brain functions as math. Especially things like topology, logic. Being able to visualize the flow of threads in a Flanders or Torchon pattern. I think of these as included in math skills. I don't think a lot of people realize that. Einstein's theory of relativity doesn't involve numbers until it is applied. I think. Not sure about that, but I think so. In another discussion a couple years ago, someone mentioned the lack of Alzheimers in lacemakers. Personally I believe that is so for the same reason that there are very few people who work on crossword puzzles with Alzheimers. We exercise our brain solving the puzzles and problems related to lace. Maureen wrote: As a non mathematical person I feel I must comment from those of us who are mathematically challenged. I like to think I am a reasonable lacemaker, I can draw out patterns on graph paper and use a lace design programme and I teach students how to draw out patterns to help understand the working of lace. But I cannot add up for toffee and some maths completely confuses me. I admit I am better with floral type laces, Bucks, Honiton etc but I don't like to make mistakes and teach accordingly. Please give consideration to non mathematical Lacemakers as well. There is a place for us all. Regards Maureen My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
On 7/07/13 11:13 PM, Clay Blackwell wrote: I am astonished that no one has challenged the notion that people with superior math/science/computer programming skills make the best lacemakers!! I've just logged on and yes I was totally affronted with that statement too. Let me put it in perspective I hold a PhD in Physics and I have taught physics for the last 20+ year to adults at university and children in high school. Good lacemakers are people who are naturally good at lacemaking REGARDLESS of other skills. One of the best lacemakers I know (her work is in the Powerhouse museum) is not mathematically great BUT she is trained in textiles and had spent her working life as a costume designer. I'm a good lacemaker BUT not the best. As an educator I hate cover all statements about ability in one area and success in another. Anna from a cold Sydney - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
Thanks, Anna!! I appreciate another voice who understands what I have said!! Generalities just don't apply to those who are skilled at making lace! Clay On 7/7/2013 8:03 PM, Anna Binnie wrote: On 7/07/13 11:13 PM, Clay Blackwell wrote: I am astonished that no one has challenged the notion that people with superior math/science/computer programming skills make the best lacemakers!! I've just logged on and yes I was totally affronted with that statement too. Let me put it in perspective I hold a PhD in Physics and I have taught physics for the last 20+ year to adults at university and children in high school. Good lacemakers are people who are naturally good at lacemaking REGARDLESS of other skills. One of the best lacemakers I know (her work is in the Powerhouse museum) is not mathematically great BUT she is trained in textiles and had spent her working life as a costume designer. I'm a good lacemaker BUT not the best. As an educator I hate cover all statements about ability in one area and success in another. Anna from a cold Sydney - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Teaching children
If we get the lacemaking club to be on a par with the chess club, we will have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. Probably beyond the wildest dreams of anyone. Let's begin by getting schools to allow a poster advertising a separate lace club. What skills does lacemaking develop that will benefit school age children? If you have an idea, please share. Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, enjoying the first cool weather in several days. Thunderstorms have their uses. Bev wrote: Yes, learning to make lace is best by choice. I like this : ... Don't let lacemaking go the same route as the forced piano lessons of childhood! / walker.b...@gmail.com My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Teaching lace to children
In the past I taught dozens of children from about age 5 years through teens to make bobbin lace. The most fun was with a group of 10 six grade boys. The teacher said Good Luck and closed the door! These 12-year old boys made their own lace tell and had great rhythm and were extremely proud of their finished product to take home at the end of the hour - and it was the easiest group I ever taught, much to the surprise of their teacher. About lace in Scandinavian school. I grew up in Denmark and did embroidery, knitting, crocheting, machine sewing, etc for an hour a week through junior high. Apparently I never had a teacher who knew how to make lace - I learned that later from my mother (who had learned it in school). I hear from my relatives it is no longer part of the curriculum in the public schools in Denmark. For the last 12 years several of us have demonstrated bobbin lace once a month at the Smithsonian American History Museum in Washington, DC. Our visitors come from all over the globe. A few have seen or heard of lace being made by hand, but most are amazed to see lace being made. The hands-on pillow always have eager participants, especially boys and girls, but also many adults of both sexes. It would be wonderful knowing if any of them ever follow up at home. Karen in Washington, DC - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
