Coast Salish Weaving Lesson Plan
Designed by: Susan Dent
Questions I asked myself while designing this lesson?





What aboriginal group is this art technique or style from?
How do I provide authentic context for this art form?
What resources can I use that provide an indigenous voice?
o Yetsa’s Sweater, by Sylvia Olsen
What materials will engage the students’ senses?
How can I provide a learning experience that provides opportunity for choice and creative
design?
Curriculum Connections
Note: This lesson could be adjusted for many different grades. I have focused on grade 3-4.

Core Competencies
o Communication
o Creative thinking
o Positive Personal & Cultural Identity
1

Some Big Ideas (Students will understand …)
o People from diverse cultures and societies share some common experiences and
aspects of life. (Social Studies - Grade three)
o Learning about indigenous peoples nurtures multicultural awareness and respect for
diversity. (Social Studies – Grade three)
o Creative expression is a means to explore and share one’s identity within a community.
(Arts Education – Grade four)

Curricular Competencies (Students will be able to …)
o Design and create a simple piece of weaving to explore identity, place, culture, and
belonging (Arts Education – Grade 3/4)
o Use Social Studies inquiry processes and skills to: ask questions; gather, interpret, and
analyze ideas; and communicate findings and decisions (Social Studies – grade three and
four)

Curricular Content (Students will know …)
o That weaving is an important part of Coast Salish culture
o That weaving provides a medium for expression in many cultures
Lesson Outline

Adjust the lesson to match the grade, student abilities and interests. One year in a grade four
class, this lesson led to a large interest in weaving and designing different projects. Design,
pattern and the skill of weaving continued as part of our class learning until the end of the year.
Introduction:



Provide samples of wool for students to experience its texture.
Discuss different types of indigenous weaving. Name the cultures that particular examples
come from.
Read Yetsa’s Sweater as a resource for Salish wool production.
Weaving Project:




Design a weaving project using cardboard frames to suit the interest, abilities and focus of your
lesson. There are many examples on the internet, including several videos.
Determine what yarn you will use for the weaving. I located inexpensive wool in traditional
Coast Salish colours of white and grey. I wanted students to have the tactile experience of
working with wool, as opposed to synthetic yarn.
Keep the initial project small as students learn how to weave. A simple pattern of stripes is
manageable for most students and grades.
Have students design more complicated projects and designs as their skill and understanding of
weaving grows.
2