Grade 3 Unit 2 The Wonder of Fibers
Immerse your child in the fascinating world of natural fibers with our engaging unit, "The Wonder of Fibers." Through captivating stories and hands-on activities, your child will explore the significance of clothing in human history and the intricacies of fiber cultivation.
Incorporating elements from creation stories and indigenous cultures, this unit provides a unique understanding of the importance of textiles in different societies. From the tales of Adam and Eve to the Indigenous knowledge of local resources, your child will gain a deep appreciation for the value of fabric and clothing.
Through the lens of science, students will discover the diversity of living things and the interconnectivity of ecosystems. They will delve into the properties of different fibers, pondering over the barbed fibers of wool, the softness of cotton, the versatility of linen, the rapid growth of hemp, and the delicacy of silk. Moreover, they will contemplate the environmental impact of fiber creation, fostering a sense of responsibility towards our planet.
In the realm of social studies, your child will explore the cultural significance of textiles, uncovering the commonalities and differences in clothing materials across diverse societies. Moreover, they will learn about the oral history and traditions of Indigenous peoples, connecting the stories of Adam and Eve to the local traditions and resources in your area.
Through language arts, students will be encouraged to explore stories and texts that elucidate the usage of resources, establishing a connection between their daily lives and the local environment. They will also develop the habit of reading clothing tags to identify the fibers used in their clothing, fostering a sense of curiosity and awareness.
"The Wonder of Fibers" unit provides a holistic learning experience that intertwines science, social studies, and language arts, fostering a deep appreciation for the significance of natural fibers and textiles in our lives. Embrace the wonder of fibers and ignite your child's curiosity today!
This purchase includes one digital curriculum unit with 15 days of lesson plans and 5 days of flexible projects. This unit will inspire you with beautiful images, clear instructions and exciting project ideas.
And that's not all. You will also gain access to the Wonder Hub, which includes supporting documents, videos, resources, and community.
The Wonder of Fibers
Learning Standards
Concept 1: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
Connections: During this unit, you will learn about animals with fur and wool, how they have adapted to their environment, and how people can learn from them about how to survive in the environment, too.
Concept 2: All matter is made of particles.
Connections: Wool has long barbed fibers that create its texture, and cotton has short fibers that make it so soft. Your child will wonder what makes these two fibers' textures and properties so different. Linen comes from the plant flax, whose seeds they may have eaten! Your child will wonder at the properties of this versatile plant. Hemp comes from plants that can grow to maturity in under 100 days! Your child will wonder at the properties of this incredible plant. The thinnest of filaments creates the finest fabric, silk. Your child will wonder at the properties of this wonderful cloth. They will contemplate the environmental impact of fiber creation.
Social Studies:
Concept 1: People from diverse cultures and societies share some common experiences and aspects of life.
Connections: You can bring in a geography lesson to talk about where sheep are most often from and what kinds of people host them. Where does cotton come from? What do wool wearers and cotton wearers have in common? What is different about their homes? Where does flax come from? What do linen wearers have in common with those who wear wool or cotton? Where does hemp grow? What does hemp have in common with other plant fibers such as linen and cotton? How is silk made? What is the impact on the environment? How can we be responsible and careful in how we make clothing?
Concept 2: Indigenous knowledge is passed down through oral history, traditions, and collective memory.
Connections: You can connect the story of Adam and Eve to the story of the Indigenous peoples of your area and the use of local resources for clothing. You'll tell of the process for creating leather and demonstrate how these skills need to be passed on.
Concept 3: Indigenous societies throughout the world value the well-being of the self, the land, spirits, and ancestors.
Connections: How are fabrics made? What is the impact on the environment? How can we be responsible and careful in how we make clothing?
Language Arts:
Concept: Stories and other texts help us learn about ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Connections: You'll tell stories about how people use resources, connecting your child to the local environment, resources, and skills. Have your child start to read the tag on their clothing to find out what fiber it is made from.
They will continue to hear stories to support the idea of 'finding one's way' on the earth. You can choose a story of your own that contains the same theme, or you can follow along with our suggested stories from the Old Testament (we recommend books by Jakob Streit called 'And There Was Light', then 'Journey to the Promised Land' but you can also find stories at The Baldwin Project). We'll use the Streit books in the lesson plans and cover stories of Cain and Abel, Seth, Adam's death, Sons of Cain, Jabal, and Thubal-Cain. Remember, this is not a religious lesson but rather the use of an incredible story that contains a theme that matches the developmental quality that your child is experiencing. There are also many Indigenous stories and stories from other cultures about fiber cultivation in picture book format to read to your child – one of our favourites is "Yetsa's Sweater" by Sylvia Olsen.