Creative Explorations: Discovering the Visual World · 2nd Year · Fabric, Fibre, and Weaving · Summer Term

Paper Weaving: Over and Under

Learning the over and under pattern of weaving using colorful strips of paper.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Primary - Fabric and Fibre
• NCCA: Primary - Pattern

About This Topic

Paper Weaving introduces the fundamental concepts of textile production through the NCCA Fabric and Fibre and Pattern strands. By using colorful strips of paper, students learn the 'over and under' logic that forms the basis of all weaving. This topic is excellent for developing fine motor control, patience, and an understanding of structural patterns.

Students explore how varying the width of the strips or the sequence of the weave can create different visual effects, such as checkers or steps. This topic also introduces 'warp' and 'weft' in a simplified way. Active learning strategies like peer teaching and collaborative investigations help students troubleshoot the 'missed step', a common frustration in weaving, and encourage them to see weaving as a form of mathematical art.

Key Questions

1. Explain the fundamental pattern that creates a stable woven structure.
2. Design a paper weaving that incorporates a hidden image or message through color placement.
3. Analyze the consequences of deviating from the 'over and under' sequence in weaving.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate the 'over and under' weaving pattern using paper strips to create a stable woven structure.
• Design a paper weaving that incorporates a specific color pattern to represent a hidden image or message.
• Analyze the visual and structural consequences of deviating from the standard 'over and under' weaving sequence.
• Identify the warp and weft elements within a paper weaving sample.

Before You Start

Cutting and Pasting Skills

Why: Students need to be able to accurately cut paper strips and adhere them to create a base structure.

Introduction to Patterns

Why: Familiarity with recognizing and creating simple repeating patterns helps students grasp the rhythmic nature of weaving.

Key Vocabulary

Weaving	A textile art or craft where two distinct sets of threads or yarns are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth.
Warp	The set of lengthwise threads held in place on a loom or frame, through which the weft is woven.
Weft	The set of threads or yarns that are passed over and under the warp threads to create woven fabric.
Over and Under Pattern	The fundamental weaving technique where one thread passes over a warp thread, and the next thread passes under it, creating a stable interlaced structure.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

You can just slide the paper in anywhere.

What to Teach Instead

Students often forget to alternate the start of each row (over vs. under). The 'Weaving Coach' activity helps them realize that if they don't alternate, the strips will just fall out, teaching them about structural integrity.

Common Misconception

Weaving is only for making rugs or blankets.

What to Teach Instead

Students may see weaving as purely functional. Through 'Color Rhythms,' they see it as a way to create complex geometric art and 'optical illusions' with color.

Active Learning Ideas

Peer Teaching: The Weaving Coach

In pairs, one student acts as the 'weaver' while the other is the 'coach' who calls out the pattern (e.g., 'over, under, over'). They switch roles after three rows to ensure the sequence is mastered.

20 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle: Pattern Breakers

Groups are given a 'perfect' weave and must intentionally 'break' the pattern in one row to see what happens to the structure. They discuss how one mistake affects the whole design and how to fix it.

30 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Color Rhythms

Students display their finished weavings. Peers walk around to find examples of 'hidden patterns' (like a diagonal line) created by the way the colors overlap, discussing how the artist achieved the effect.

20 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• Textile designers use weaving principles to create fabrics for clothing, upholstery, and technical applications. Understanding the basic over and under pattern is the first step in designing complex weaves for fashion houses or industrial textiles.
• Basket makers, like those in traditional Irish crafts, employ weaving techniques to construct durable and functional items. The strength of a basket often depends on the tightness and consistency of the over and under interlacing of materials like willow or reeds.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Provide students with a small, partially woven paper sample. Ask them to point to the warp threads and the weft threads, and explain how the weft is moving 'over and under' the warp in the visible section.

Exit Ticket

Students complete a paper weaving strip. On the back, they draw a simple diagram showing one weft thread going over and one going under the warp threads. They write one sentence explaining why this pattern is important for making the weaving strong.

Peer Assessment

Students exchange their finished paper weavings. Each student checks their partner's work for consistency in the 'over and under' pattern. They provide one specific compliment and one suggestion for improvement, focusing on the regularity of the weave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are 'warp' and 'weft' in paper weaving?

The 'warp' is the base paper with the slits cut into it (the 'stationary' part). The 'weft' are the loose strips that you weave in and out (the 'moving' part).

How do I help students who keep getting stuck on the 'alternating' row?

Have them use two different colors for the 'weft' strips. For example, 'Red strips always start UNDER, and Blue strips always start OVER.' This visual cue makes the logic much easier to follow.

How can active learning help students understand weaving?

Active learning, particularly 'Peer Teaching,' turns a repetitive task into a social and linguistic one. When students have to 'call out' the pattern, they are reinforcing the rhythmic logic of the craft. This reduces errors and helps them meet NCCA standards for 'Pattern' by making the mathematical sequence of weaving explicit and shared.

What can students do with their finished weavings?

They can be used as 'mats' for other artwork, turned into the body of a 3D 'weaving fish,' or joined together to make a large class 'quilt' of patterns.