You guys inspired me, thank you! Teaching Through Traditions is born!

[WriterofWords]

I learned to crochet because of the crochet chat, it lead me to start the Kid's Crochet Club at school and it has been wildly successful!! I signed up for a fabric swap and while I was looking at the magazines I bought to try and learn to do a quilt, I was looking at all the angles and measurements and such and some of the kids were looking at the pictures and said they wanted to learn how to do it. So I am going to learn so I can teach them, and my former Home Economics teacher said she would help me with a new club.

I am trying to write grants now through Sam's Club, Wal Mart, and Donorschoose again to fund my new endeavor: the Teaching Through Traditions group. The members will learn to sew, cook, crochet, and other Home Ec type of projects. They will learn critical thinking, how to read instructions, how to use different types of measurements, but most of all they will learn traditional crafts and things we use to learn how to do from our moms and dads and grandparents. I will have some parents who have volunteered to help me when we get supplies, I've got a community member who quilts and will help with the sewing.
The first sewing project will be making a simple quilt, straight lines, nothing hard, but they will work with a family member and a sponsor to make it together and hopefully have something to keep and share for a long time to come.

I never would have undertaken something like this, if it hadn't been for the support I get myself on this site. It's given me back a lot of my self value, it's made me see I'm not wasting my time with my wonderful kids. I never would have imagined the crochet club would take off like it did. They set up during the parent/teacher meetings yesterday to show off their work, they've been invited to set up and demonstrate their work at the Board meeting next week. One boy and one girl will talk about the club and the impact it has had on them and their relationships with others. I'm so proud.

Thank you for giving this to me!

ETA: And thank you to those who have sent us yarn and hooks, we couldn't have done it without you! The incubator will be set up in class in April for our hatch.

 

[newchickenfamily]

Wow! That is great!!! Way to go!!

 

[WriterofWords]

Thank you!

 

[verthandi]

Quote:
I can't think of a better thing to pass on to your students. Some of us are lucky enough to have had parents or grandparents that have passed on these talents and traditions. But for many young people, they didn't have relatives that knew how or cared to show them how to produce a useful craft. There is something so special about the look of proud and confidence that they get when they make something themselves. You are a blessing to your students. And I think I detect a smile on your face too, while you learn these new skills. I am very happy for you and your students, you will be in one of the teachers that they remember for the rest of their lives. Thank you for caring about them.

 

[ranchhand]

Kate, what grand news! I still wish I could go back and become one of your lucky students!

 

[WriterofWords]

Thank you, I love learning with them! It makes my heart feel good when the parents come in the room and they learn too or help the kids learn.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Kate, do you know the book the "Freedom Quilt" kids book that told the story of the quilt a little girl made to help runaway slaves find their way safely north?

I used that as the starting point for a summer camp project. They all loved it. Even the boys that fussed at first.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Writer of Words.........that is such a blessing for you to have a desire to teach these kids these crafts. Not only are you teaching them traditional crafting.....you are also teaching them reading, writing and arithmatic. I am glad to know that I am blessd by a Mother and G. Mother that taught me, but it is now going to be a blessing to some of the Mothers that are volunteering to know that they will soon be able topass on a legacy also.

Many blessings on your endeavor.

 

[fjorddreamer]

That's a wonderful thing you are doing! Wow!

 

[WriterofWords]

Thank you guys. I know it's a big dream but I feel you have to dream big to get anywhere at all. These kids,, most of them,, don't have quality time with adults who care about them. This way I have the ability to provide something they need in their lives, even if their own parent can't or won't participate, the ones that do will have an impact on the kids that are there. It's also a case of making some parents feel comfortable and accepted in a safe, non-threatening environment because their past or problems keeps them from getting involved in so many things.