CAEA presentation on middle school sock doll unit. Workshop Description: The trans-formative power of art has never been so potent then with this middle school unit on recycled, handmade sock monsters. Students begin with dialogues comparing handmade/factory made goods as well as discussing monetary worth vs. alternative forms of currency such as emotional, sentimental and spiritual value.

1. Sock Monsters: The Power of Recycled,
Handmade Crafts in an Industrialized Economy

2. Project can be linked to :
Personal identity
Recycled art
Technology
Industry/economy
Intergenerational Dialogue
Empathy/Care for others

3. The Setting: AXL Academy, Aurora, CO
Title I EL Charter School
6thGrade Girls
6th Grade Boys

4. Students are posed with a question:
• Is there a difference between buying
something from a store vs. making it yourself?
If so what is that difference?
Example: Grandma’s homemade cooking vs.
Taco Bell? (Mixed responses)

5. Identity Sock Dolls:
Turning Trash into Treasure!

7. A Variety of examples engages a diverse group.

8. Personal Identity: An intuitive
Process
A creative process that lets you create and than analyze during and
afterwards.

9. Deconstructing
the
Sock!
Students view images/books of
sock dolls and start with
planning sketches of how they
will cut and use their sock.

10. As a class we learn to sew:
1. Threading the needle (with an arms length of
thread).
2. Tying the knot (double knot).
3. Learning 2 stitches (running stitch, blanket
stitch) .
Peer to Peer learning. “Ask 3 and then ask me.”

11. Students start with 2 small pcs. Of felt
they will use to learn the blanket stitch.
They are responsible for keeping their
needle in this pc of felt for the rest of the
unit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXkSE
2TTF4s
Student response very positive to have
just sewn a “pocket” or “puppet”

12. Students begin the task of following a general
plan/idea of what they are doing but staying
open to changes, letting the creation take
course.
Natural Differentiation: Complex vs. simple

13. “I liked this project because
everyone was able to get along and
there were no conflicts.”
I liked it because we got to make
little people that related to us.”

22. Is there a difference?

23. Is there a difference?
“Store bought is made in a factory.
Handmade is made by someone.”
“A handmade doll is made of hard work and
love. A store bought doll is just
something thrown together for some
money.”
“It’s more moveable and it has heart in it.”

24. ”Handmade is better because it is made with
Love.”
“Handmade is more important.”
“You can run to the store @ the last minute to
get a gift, but handmade shows that you care
and took the time to do it.”

25. • Hand made dolls are fun and unique to make
because it fits a persons personal needs.
• “The difference is in the stitching.”

26. Empathy/Care for others
• “I gave my sock doll to my baby brother Micah
who has spina bifida. My sock doll has spina
bifida too.”
• I shared it with my mom, my BFF’s mom and
my BFF.
• “I gave one to my Mom’s boyfriend for his
birthday, and I made one for my sister.”

27. Intergenerational Dialogue
• “I asked my grandma to help me learn how to
sew better.”
• “I told a couple of friends and my dad helped
me make mine.”
• “I asked my mom for help”.
• “I taught people how to make one and
showed my mom and dad.”

29. Now let’s make some!