"It is little wonder that during the COVID-19 lockdown, people in the US and elsewhere were sewing and baking en masse, bolstering their sense of self-reliance, thrift and cultural continuity at a time of profound economic upheaval – when kitchen conversations, boardroom deliberations and street protests addressed racial and public health disparities, while groping for a more equitable moral compass for the nation."
https://psyche.co/ideas/handcraft-lessons-belong-in-the-radical-school-curriculum
20 Comments
Ryan Truong
10/18/2020 04:24:24 pm
This is an interesting read. As someone who enjoyed lab-based classes like Chemistry, Physics, and Art - I can relate to the idea of putting more emphasis on hands-on experiences instead of the traditional lecturing based classes. Teaching adolescents how to transform raw materials into products helps them learn new practical skillsets while also teaching them gratefulness and respect for the amount of work that goes into everyday products.
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Lauren
12/8/2020 02:09:01 pm
Such an interesting article! I love the connection the author made to the inherent desire to create seen through the increased hand craft activities practiced during the pandemic. Modern life is extremely complicated and it is unfortunate that hand craft is no longer a necessity. Creating things by hand is a drive that all humans have and it's a shame that it seems to be an art that is increasingly put aside.
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Arcadia
12/8/2020 02:13:05 pm
What a fantastic article! this hit home for me in many ways- I took Home Ec in middle school, it was required all 3 years and I am always shocked to find out that some people didn't have that experience. Although I was already being exposed to Home Ec type life skills from family members, the schools support of these skills amplified their importance. And those students who didn't have some one to teach them these skills at home greatly benefitted from the experience- as simple as instead of throwing out a shirt because of a torn button, being able to sew it back on.
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Babette
12/8/2020 02:48:23 pm
I Completely agree.
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Don
12/8/2020 02:54:00 pm
Although hand crafted skills are not necessary to get by in our modern day life, so many benefits are to be had. Exercising one’s creativity, fine motor skills, transforming an idea to a tangible piece, importance of being detailed and the sensory experience of working with one’s hands.
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Briquelle
12/8/2020 02:59:25 pm
Thank you for sharing this article. I was fortunate enough to have family and consumer sciences be embedded into my education after elementary school. These classes were, in my opinion, the most useful and rewarding classes offered. It's important for students to have access to these handcrafted classes because other than teaching them valuable skills it teaches them life lessons as well. Once you learn the time and effort it takes in making something you gain more appreciation for that object. Students would be able to recognize the importance of knowing how to be self-sustainable and able to create these things themselves. Thank you for posting such a great article!
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Tomasa
12/8/2020 03:02:24 pm
Art gives us purpose. It's pretty incredible to see children use their hands in such magical ways. Thanks for sharing!
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Irena
12/8/2020 03:10:47 pm
That is a great article! Thanks for sharing. I completely agree that "What we make, we know". Any handcraft course enriches the students by building new neurological pathways related to hand-coordination, fine-motor skills, planning and building manually.
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Jessica Lawson
12/8/2020 03:54:32 pm
I couldn't agree more! Thanks for sharing.
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12/8/2020 06:51:53 pm
Home Ec was my favorite class in middle school. This article ties back to Khans book where he claims that it's horrible for kids to spend half of their days at school with no time for creativity. I believe it is very important to allow more time for handcraft in more educational systems because it allows for someone to think outside the box and steer away from single-answer problems and solutions. Creativity is key to learning and understanding the way you think and feel which in turn affects a young mind when it comes to intellectual capabilities.
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Brian Kinney
12/8/2020 07:47:55 pm
A timely article, articulating the desire at least I have to reconnect with the world, and in this case through Hand Work...
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Brenan
12/9/2020 09:21:38 am
Handwork is an incredibly valuable and essential skill. I went to an arts based school that taught me how to knit, sew, crochet, and more. It's a favorite "party trick" of mine to be able to show (and teach) others how to knit and sew. A lost art in this technological world. Fantastic article!!
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Christel Gruenewald
12/9/2020 02:34:55 pm
At a time when virtual experiences are taking over our lives, a "REAL" experience such as making something from scratch, is so important. Experiencing the making of something from start to finish and everything that happens in between is invaluable. This article confirms this.
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12/9/2020 06:50:51 pm
Wonderful article! Handcrafts support students in so many areas! Self esteem, socialization, attention span and general well being all benefit from this discipline.
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Yuko
12/10/2020 12:20:03 am
I identify with this quote ... "the sense of being alive within the process..." I feel most alive when I am creating something with my hands whether it be music, gyoza or pillow cases. I see hand work as essential skill in learning to truly feel the materials as energy and get to know how to work with it... a process in my opinion that grounds oneself, and connect people even in silence. Truly magical on many levels.
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12/10/2020 10:07:02 am
SO true! Well researched, and I plan on sharing it with my handwork teacher training students! Thanks for this excellent resource, Diem-mi!
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12/10/2020 03:02:30 pm
Tangible success is SO critical to the JOY of learning. Bravo! It's timeless work you are doing.
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Tomoko Driscoll
12/11/2020 04:16:00 pm
Great article. I find, in my classes, the practice of doing handwork like origami is very grounding for my students. Students are also very proud when they present their knitted work to me. Thank you for sharing.
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Misha
12/18/2020 10:46:19 pm
Wonderful! Great article.
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AuthorDiem-Mi (pronounced yee-mee) practical arts teacher & art student. ArchivesCategories |