This week, first grade students have been continuing their learning about Native American legends by exploring the Navajo tribe.
We began our exploration by reading , The Goat in the Rug. In the story, Geraldine, the goat, tells how Glenmae, a Navajo weaver creates a rug. First, Geraldine is clipped, and then her wool is spun into yarn. Carefully, the yarn is dyed, dried, and woven on a loom to make a beautiful rug. Students made connections to the story, noting the importance of natural resources. We paused throughout our story to learn about different aspects of the materials including seeing a sheep be sheared, looking at a yucca plants, and images of mohair. After reading, students practiced comprehension skills and cooperation by working together to sequence the steps taken to make the rug. Discussing components of Navajo rugs, specifically their bold colors and geometric designs, first grade students were eager to create their own rugs.
We learned many details about the rug-making process from our read aloud. Then, first grade students worked together to use videos, pictures and articles to research traditional Navajo rugs. We learned from our rad aloud that the rugs were made of goat’s wool. The dyes that the Navajo tribe had access to came from their native plants and resulted in rugs that were mostly red, black, white and brown. The rugs are famous for their distinct pattern made or triangles, squares, zig zags, diamonds and straight lines. We discussed how curved lines could not be easily made because of the way their looms used straight lines of yarn woven together to create the pattern. Students used construction paper in red, black, brown and white to create patterns and make their own work of art similar to the Navajo rugs.
