Learning with Washi Feathers!

Hey teaching friends!   Happy Canadian Thanksgiving weekend to my colleagues up north!

As I was thinking about the upcoming US Thanksgiving next month, I was thinking about how I learned about Thanksgiving when I was in school.   What I don’t remember learning a lot about was Native American culture throughout that process.  {Keep in mind, this was a great many years ago.}

So, while I was doing a little research, I did find out that Native Americans put a lot of meaning behind feathers – and particularly where the feather came from or whether it is given as a gift.  There is much symbolism attached to feathers.

What a fun lesson to learn even more about this group of people!

I even came up with a neat way to make your own feathers in the classroom to add a real world component to your lessons!  They are inexpensive, fun to make, and easy for all students. I think what I love the most is that each feather will be unique, much like the students who are creating them for the lessons.

Here is what you will need:

-scissors

-any type of wire

-washi tape

Steps to make them:

1 – Cut a piece of wire and then place one piece of tape on the top.

2 – Flip over and attach a matching piece of tape to the opposite side.

3 – Continue placing more tape on each side and then flipping to cover up the sticky part.  Create 4-5 rows on either side of the wire.

4 – Cut into a feather shape and then cut slits into the sides.   That’s it!

You could then hole punch one end and attach twine to be able to hang from hair or maybe do a lesson about dreamcatchers?  The best part?  Tie this hands on activity in to whatever lessons you would normally teach about Native American culture.  No extra planning involved!

What are some ways you feel you could incorporate this easy craftivity in to your curriculum?  We would love to hear in the comments below!

~Charity