Next week I will be teaching several sessions during the fifth grade's Colonial Days. Each session will be about 50 minutes long and will have 12-14 kids. I have free range to talk about anything related to textiles.
I had originally planned just to demonstrate spinning on my great wheel; at that point I thought it would be a 15 minute demo. Obviously the kids would be bored stiff watching me spin for an hour. I am currently planning on taking in a wide variety of raw fiber, processed fiber, yarn & finished cloth. I also have two two-shaft table looms that are very kid friendly (I've used them with preschoolers). So I thought I could talk about fiber, pass around samples, and demonstrate spinning for 20 minutes, and let them take turns weaving for 20 minutes.
Or would it make more sense to start them weaving right away, and let them take turns weaving while I talk, demonstrate, etc.? Hmmm. I have no helper, so if they got stuck I would have to interrupt myself to help out. Perhaps a 10 minute introduction to textiles in the colonies, then start them weaving, and let the non-weavers look at samples, try drafting, etc. while waiting their turn. Comments?
I'd also appreciate any resources people can share on textiles in the original colonies. From what I've read, I think home production might actually have been less common in the early years than during the 18th & 19th centuries on the frontiers and in remote areas. Thoughts?
Cynthia