Kura Tuarua Marautanga
Upper School Curriculum
Te Au Ringa rehe |
Soft Materials
The teaching of soft materials involves instructing students in the use and manipulation of textiles, fabrics, and other pliable materials to create functional or decorative items. It aims to develop students' skills in sewing, crafting, and design while fostering creativity and an understanding of material properties and techniques.
Soft Materials Class 8
In class 8, students are given the opportunity to use the sewing machine and to discover historically the use of the treadle machines or hand cranked machines. This provides the inward experience of understanding of how things work.
Provides opportunity for learning co-ordination, handskills…….
Capacities are met through work/will in using the machine. Technological knowledge of materials is deepened through emphasis on the different properties as used in constructing relevant items for today.
The fourteenth year is a milestone year in the inner life of a young person. There is an increasing realisation – and assertion – of the individual sense of self, of the uniqueness of one’s own identity.
After the breadth of exploration of the world, covered in Class 7, the Class 8 year is one of turning towards inwardness, even, at times, self-absorption.
However, in this year, there is still a strong connection to, and care for, the outside world, and the curriculum exploits this in lessons such as environmental studies, the impact of the industrial revolution on humanity, and in responding to the biographies of others who cared.
At this age, Handwork is about refining skills and techniques in creating crafted items in order to meet boundaries and to articulate individual sense of self through their expressions of creating finished items with strong sense of beauty.
UNITS OF LEARNING
Possible Content:
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Sewing machine
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Learning about woven fabric and its properties.
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Using woven fabric to design a garment for themselves with an elasticated waistband.
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Learning about patterns, technical terminology, fabric grainlines and how to construct their garment using the sewing machine.
Relevant Pedagogical Aims:
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To foster a sense of connectedness to the world.
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To polish skills for learning.
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To support the individual’s developing sense of uniqueness.
Soft Materials Class 9
Class 9 is a time to continue to develop skills in transforming soft materials through refining mechanical processes. At this stage in the student’s development, mechanisms have become important as the processes require balance, as in loom weaving the horizontal motion of the left and right of the weft using the shuttle is balanced by the vertical beating along the warp with the heddle. This produces a cloth. The cutting of the cloth and the sewing on a machine to produce a garment puts the human being in the centre, allowing the student to become more aware of themselves and where they stand in the world.
Successful work requires the correct relationship between thinking and skillful doing, which all class 9 Handwork techniques utilize. The sewing of a hoodie, screen printing on the back, felting free standing items, weaving a piece of cloth, all require a relationship between accuracy and creativity, learned skills and patience to bring about the fruition of success.
However, in all the learned skills and lessons taught in class 9 Handwork, there is still space for spontaneous creativity.
UNITS OF LEARNING
Possible Content:
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The History of Harakeke and it uses
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Weaving putiputi (flowers), kono and a kete.
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Textile Geometry
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Fabric design.
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A practical experience of using different resist methods to create fabric design
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Learning about the construction and properties of garments made with knitted fabrics.
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To design and make a sweatshirt for themselves using a knitted fabric.
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To understand how the overlocker works and to use is with skill to make their sweatshirt alongside the sewing machine.
Relevant Pedagogical Aims:
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To awaken to the polarities of subject knowledge through both heart and will.
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To work with accurate observation, objectivity and detail.
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To work with the hands