Cape Fear Middle School
String Art Club
Sponsored by Mr. Tuck
What exactly is string art? Chances are, you've seen your child already playing with a piece of twine, weaving cups and saucers, fishing spears, and Jacob's Ladders, as the picture below shows:
Pretty cool, huh? The photo is borrowed from a Web site about Ancient Hawaiian String Figures.
The intent of this club is to introduce your child to the ancient and fascinating world of string figures. Additionally, we will learn something about the cultures that produce these string figures, most notably West African tribes, South Sea Islanders, and a number of Native American tribes, including the Navaho and the Inuit.
Hopefully by the time the year is over, your child will be well on the way to learning a number of intriguing and absorbing string figures, and will be able to teach himself or herself new ones. Your child will also have a greater understanding of a number of other cultures, and will develop increased dexterity and fine motor control.
(Don't be afraid to let your child teach YOU some string figures. They are easy to learn, and I can testify myself that weaving string figures does wonders for arthritis in the hands and fingers! Besides, it's fun!)
Members in Good Standing
(those who have turned in signature forms):
J.R. Chadwick
Jorge Flores
Colton Ludlum
Marie R.
Cody Suggs
[name withheld]
Some Guidelines:
- We will meet after school on Mondays from 3:00 to 4:00, unless otherwise noted. Your child will need a ride home those afternoons. Neither Cape Fear Middle School nor I can provide transportation.
- Although I will provide twine for the students, which will suit the purpose well enough, your child may desire a "fancier" string. I recommend something called "dressmaker's cord," though most kinds of relatively heavy twine or cord will do. I suggest buying about six or seven feet of it. Note: much of this kind of cord is made out of polyester or nylon, and will need to be MELTED together instead of tied together in a knot. I do NOT recommend that you let your child do this! If you don't feel comfortable doing this, I will handle it. It's not hard, but it's tricky, and you don't want to drip melted polyester on anything - nor do you want a huge melted "knot" in your child's string. That would ruin it! Lengths of this kind of cord are usually very inexpensive, and can be found at sewing materials stores or hardware stores.
- The children and their teachers have already been spoken to about having string in the classroom. Like anything else, string can be used to disrupt a classroom or for a child to waste their time with instead of doing their class assignments. Children are NEVER to begin playing with string during class time unless their teacher specifically gives them permission to do so. (Not only does the child risk being off task, but a child weaving string figures can be very distracting to the other students!) Children are NEVER to throw their string in the hallways, on the school's floors, or leave them abandoned in desks. And lastly, even though a loop of string is pretty harmless, a child can, if he or she so desires, can hurt someone else with if, particularly by wrapping it around someone's neck. I have hosted string clubs like this in several different schools and with all of the children involved I have only had one child do this, but the possibility exists. Please ensure that your child understands that if he or she does anything remotely approaching this, that child will be SEVERELY disciplined. In other words, your child should use some self-control, some self-restraint, and plain old common sense, and he or she will be fine.
- Although I teach only 6th graders, any CFMS student is welcome to be part of our club.
- Anyone who wants to join must first get a permission form from me, get it signed, and return it to me.