See examples of art educators in the Plano Independent School District using fibers in their art projects. This presentation gives not just examples, but advice and resources to support including fibers in the classroom. Resources include the website Explorefiber.com, the blog of Cassie Stephens, and the fiber course of The Art of Education.

1. Bring Fibers into Your
Curriculum

2. My name is Christine Miller
Since elementary school I have
been…
Knitting
Crocheting
Embroidering
Needlepointing
Sewing
Hand weaving
Making baskets
Wet felting
Needle felting

3. I’m a Life Long
Fiber Artist
I’ve exhibited and
sold my work for
over 40 years. I
brought my love of
fibers into the
classroom when I
started teaching art
in 2005.

4. Fibers as a Fine Art
Material?
Check out this
August 14, 2015
article by
Michael Slenske

5. 2013 TEKS Update
Includes Fiber Art!
(2) Creative expression. The student
communicates ideas through original artwork
using a variety of media with appropriate skills.
The student expresses thoughts and ideas
creatively while challenging the imagination,
fostering reflective thinking, and developing
disciplined effort and progressive problem-
solving skills. The student is expected to:
(F) demonstrate effective use of art media and
tools in drawing, painting, printmaking,
sculpture, ceramics, , design, and
digital art and media.

6. Plano ISD Teachers
Teaching With Fiber
A district sharing fiber excitement!

7. Beth Carter
Skaggs Elementary
From the Teacher:
“I love love love
texture. I love to
incorporate painting and
clay with fiber to connect
texture.”
“Children crave texture in
the art room. Fiber
lessons settle the ‘Glitter’
of my most challenging
students.”
Clay Looms

8. "After teaching 20 years, I have discovered these types
of lessons reach all of my ELL and special learning
students as well as my gifted learners.”

9. Tracy Evans
Mitchell Elementary
Radial Weaving
Installation The Seed of a Project
“This 5th grade
collaborative project
fostered unity in the
class and became a
permanent installation in
the library. The title, ‘Our
Starry Night’ won
because of its color,
movement, texture and
link to the art world.”

10. Meeka – “This is so exciting because we get to leave a
little piece of us forever at Mitchell!”
Blake - “Weaving I thought was more for girls, but I had so
much fun learning it, I went home and asked my mom to buy
me a loom! I now make gifts for my family!”

11. Virginia Mathys
Miller Elementary
What students say:
The kids love that the
yarn is warm and fuzzy, it
helps them to focus and
remember things better
when they are
crocheting.
“We can use our
imagination out
loud!”
Radial Weaving

12. “As a teacher, fibers are fun and exciting! The best part
though is how excited they are and the sense of wonder
and amazement in their eyes. They light up and they still
see the world as magical!”

13. Amanda Glass
Hedgcoxe Elementary
Teacher’s Reflection
“My students love to
work with fiber arts. I like
to use things that they
might have at home like
old cds, show them how
to make a loom out of a
cereal box, or make a
“needle” out of tape, so
that they can continue
creating art at home.”
Hand Weaving

14. Matthew Grundler
Brinker Elementary
Teacher’s Reflection
“Since adding
fiber into my
program, it has
allowed my
students to gain a
more rounded art
experience.”
Radial Weaving

15. High Engagement!
Radial Weaving Student Reactions
“Noooo!!!! I
don’t wanna
stop, this is too
fun!”
“This is a really
fun project!”

16. Kim Paser
Shepton High School
Soft Sculpture
Creatures Teacher’s Comment:
“I really like to
incorporate soft
sculpture and sewing
into my curriculum
because the students
really respond well to the
medium and they are in a
peaceful and tranquil
state of mind when
working. Also many of
them say it is their
favorite project of the
year and they are most
excited to take it home.”

17. “I like that sewing is a practical life
skill that I can use in the future.”

18. Emily Garner
Williams High School
Stitching on Watercolor

19. Mrs. Garner says: “Bringing fibers into the studio
gives the students more options. For centuries, society
needed to know how to sew, spin yarn and weave. It’s
important that we bring back this knowledge to our
students.”
Her student says:
“I find it relaxing
and fun. It brings
a new aspect to
my artwork and
makes it more
interesting. It’s
definitely worth
learning because
you can do a lot
with it.”

20. Christine Miller
Williams High School
What My Student
Said:
“Working with fiber is
important. Fiber is a very
important material to
include in art programs. It
will give students the
chance to experiment with
something new. Most
students are just taught
with the traditional
materials. An art class
should teach their students
that art is everywhere in in
everything. The students
should not be limited to just
working with the traditional
materials.”
Needle Felted
Sculpture

21. Fibers Enrich an Art
Program
Teacher Story
“I had a male student in
my Art I: 3D Design and
Sculpture class. He
never showed
enthusiasm or
excitement in my class.
When he started weaving
on a small floor loom in
my studio, he had the
biggest smile on his face.
It made my heart smile as
well.”
Floor Loom Weaving

22. Materials & Mentoring
There are a
lot of
resources to
help you
strengthen
your fiber
program!

23. It’s scary to
teach
something I’m
not familiar
with!
New materials
and processes
present new
problems! I
have…

24. …Questions…
I have equipment from
a former teacher I
don’t know how to
use!
Where can I find help
for various fiber
processes?
How do I get
materials? I don’t
have a big supply
budget!
How do I know my

25. ExploreFiber.com
Explore Fiber promotes fibers as a contemporary fine art
material in art education.
Explore Fiber is a collaborative initiative and resource by and
for a community of educators and artists working with fibers
through innovative art expressions.

26. Explore Fiber Provides:
quality lessons using
fibers as a fine art
material
videos for inspiration
and tutorial support
interviews with fiber
artists and art educators
a blog for
communication and
dialogue in the broad
fiber arts community
an interactive space to
explore fiber arts in the
21st century

27. Explore Fiber Resources

28. Let us be Your
Resource!
• Submit a Lesson
• For Teachers
• Fiber, Blogs, Websites,
Facebook Pages & Social
Networks
• Fiber Galleries and
Museums
• Fiber Organizations
• Journals, Publications &
Articles
• Schools, Classes,
Workshops
• University Programs

29. Lessons & Video
Tutorials

30. Be a Contributor!

31. Fiber News & Inspiration

32. Cassie Stephens
TAEA Keynote Speaker &
Elementary Fibers Queen!
In the Art Room: A
Woven Clutch
In the Art Room: God’s
Eye (Ojo de Dios)
In the Art Room: Circle
Loom Weaving with
Second Grade

33. The Art of Education
Online Grad Class: Studio Fibers
Online Professional Development Taught
by Cassie Stephens

34. Obtainium: something that
can be had for little or no
cost!
Art teachers are experts at scrounging
and begging! You have to contact the
right people to get the materials and
support you need!

35. Write a Grant!
Find Resources to Get the Equipment you
Want!

36. How do I get materials?
Contact Local Fiber Organizations
Fiber
organizations
want their
passion to stay
alive and are very
excited for young
people to learn
about Fiber arts!
Weaving Guilds
Knitting Guilds
Embroidery Guilds
Quilter Guilds
Sewing Guilds
Basket Guilds

37. How do I learn how to use
equipment I have?
Network & Teach Yourself!
YouTube is a great
resource for video
tutorials.
Explore Fiber is also
building a fiber video
tutorial database.
Contact local artists to
find a mentor that can
help you!

38. I’M HERE TO HELP!
DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME!
CHRISTINE.MILLER@PISD.EDU
EXPLOREFIBER@GMAIL.COM

39. No Guts, No Glory!
Students LOVE fiber! Start slow, choose a project you are
interested in and gather the supplies you need. Reach out to
your community.
HAVE FUN!