Monday, April 27, 2009

Do Crocheting and Literacy Really Have a Connection?

Hello,

In an earlier blog I mentioned the article in The Reading Teacher about the students who learned how to crochet and how that facilitated their reading and writing. I decided to give it a try with my 3rd and 4th grade students.

I first bought myself a new crochet hook and some yarn and one for my students. One by one, I taught my students the chain stitch. When one student learned, he or she taught another student. I was surprisde by their interest in learning and teaching. Yes, even the boys are becoming crochet masters!

My students wrote letters to their parents requesting a few dollars to buy their own crochet hook and yarn and today they will each receive their own supplies! I was lucky enough to get a discount at the local fabric store so today my students will write "Thank You" letters to the store managers.

I am happily surprised at how this project has taken off with my students. They are learning how to communicate instructions in a sequential manner, how to listen to a read-aloud while crocheting, and how to write a persuasive letter and a thank you note to adults.

I'll keep you posted on our progress!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

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