Weaving With Mesoamericans

To know Ms. Beers is to know her love of all things Harris Loan. The Field Museum Harris Loan Center let me borrow a box of artifacts from Ancient America: Aztec and Maya Marketplaces.

If you have the opportunity I highly recommend using Harris Loan for bringing experiences into your classroom. Even the students that weren't learning about weaving were able to check out my temporary display of ancient crafts. It turns your room into the place to visit in the school.

Once we talked a little about the Marketplaces I taught the kids how to weave. First we tried out baskets:

Then We created teeny-tiny card board looms and did some weaving with yarn.

Yes. After this project I bought a giant loom. I can't wait to use it!

Engaging Parents

Something worth thinking about:

Engaging Parents - vs - Involving Parents

"When schools involve parents they are leading with their institutional self-interest and desires -- school staff are leading with their mouths."
"When we're engaging parents, the parent is considered a leader or a potential leader who is integral to identifying a vision and goals." - Larry Ferlazzo

Priceless.

This link takes you to the full article.