Basket Basket WeavingWeaving

Brief History of Basket WeavingBrief History of Basket Weaving

Basket making is among the earliest of human-made Basket making is among the earliest of human-made objects. Its early appearance allowed humans to objects. Its early appearance allowed humans to

gather, share, and store food. Over time, basketry gather, share, and store food. Over time, basketry evolved in complexity and began to include evolved in complexity and began to include

elements of creative expression. All civilizations elements of creative expression. All civilizations and cultures have created and continue to create and cultures have created and continue to create

baskets from materials in their environment. baskets from materials in their environment. Contemporary Basket Makers often use man-Contemporary Basket Makers often use man-

made materials in sculptural forms.made materials in sculptural forms.

Connections to the 5Connections to the 5thth Grade Grade CurriculumCurriculum

Social StudiesSocial Studies Explain how people in the U.S. participate in Explain how people in the U.S. participate in

basic economic interdependency (rely on each basic economic interdependency (rely on each other for trade)other for trade)

Examine how the natural resources (land-not Examine how the natural resources (land-not created by humans) and physical features created by humans) and physical features (mountains, rivers) influence human activity in (mountains, rivers) influence human activity in each region of the U.S.each region of the U.S.

Connections to the 5Connections to the 5thth Grade Grade Curriculum ContinuedCurriculum Continued

ScienceScience Describe structures, processes, and Describe structures, processes, and

interactions, that take place in cellsinteractions, that take place in cells

MathMath Estimate, select, and apply customary and Estimate, select, and apply customary and

metric units of measurement for lengthmetric units of measurement for length

Art Standards and ElementsArt Standards and Elements

I. Creates artwork reflecting a range of concepts, I. Creates artwork reflecting a range of concepts, ideas, subject matterideas, subject matter

A.A. Creates artworks inspired by: Creates artworks inspired by:

3.3. research of history research of history

II. Understands and applies media, techniques, and II. Understands and applies media, techniques, and processesprocesses

A. A. Uses a variety of materials/techniques to create Uses a variety of materials/techniques to create

2-D and 3-D artwork including but not limited 2-D and 3-D artwork including but not limited

to sculpture (open and closed form)to sculpture (open and closed form)

Art Standards and Elements Art Standards and Elements ContinuedContinued

IV. Self-evaluates art learning and develops habits of excellenceIV. Self-evaluates art learning and develops habits of excellenceA. A. Recognizes and cultivates habits of mind necessary for Recognizes and cultivates habits of mind necessary for

artistic work:artistic work:1. 1. persistence – changing approach as neededpersistence – changing approach as needed2. 2. observation and visualization skillsobservation and visualization skills3. 3. problems have more than one solutionproblems have more than one solution4.4. care in craftsmanship (whole is larger than the parts) care in craftsmanship (whole is larger than the parts)5.5. self-evaluation; understands learning goals for each self-evaluation; understands learning goals for each

artwork; artwork; evaluates when goals are reached evaluates when goals are reached6. 6. evaluates of work-in-progress and adjusts approach as evaluates of work-in-progress and adjusts approach as

necessarynecessaryB B Links art terms and production with math, language arts, Links art terms and production with math, language arts,

social studies, science curriculumsocial studies, science curriculum

Art Standards and Elements Art Standards and Elements ContinuedContinued

V. Understands the visual arts in relation to historyV. Understands the visual arts in relation to history

and culturesand cultures

AA. Interprets art from selected periods . Interprets art from selected periods

based on historical facts, theories and based on historical facts, theories and

other information compiled by art other information compiled by art

historianshistorians

D.D. Discusses technological advances that Discusses technological advances that

changed the way artists workchanged the way artists work

Day OneDay OneStudents will:Students will:

1.) Learn the history of baskets1.) Learn the history of baskets

2.) Measure fifteen 12” spokes2.) Measure fifteen 12” spokes

3.) Place spokes through the holes of the 3.) Place spokes through the holes of the base, making sure each spoke base, making sure each spoke extends extends 2” from the bottom 2” from the bottom

4.) Secure the spokes by weaving them 4.) Secure the spokes by weaving them

along the basealong the base

The History of BasketsThe History of Baskets

Traces of baskets have been found in the Traces of baskets have been found in the Egyptian pyramids, and woven basket liners Egyptian pyramids, and woven basket liners have left their impressions inside the have left their impressions inside the fragments of ancient pottery. fragments of ancient pottery.

There are ancient Indian baskets from the There are ancient Indian baskets from the Southwest that have been identified by Southwest that have been identified by archaeologists as nearly 8000 years old. archaeologists as nearly 8000 years old.

Early North American BasketsEarly North American Baskets

Native Americans and colonists discovered Native Americans and colonists discovered that basketry allowed them to take advantage that basketry allowed them to take advantage of the natural abundance of their surroundings of the natural abundance of their surroundings in the form of reeds, grass, straw, pine needles, in the form of reeds, grass, straw, pine needles, roots, vines, cornhusks, and splints of willow, roots, vines, cornhusks, and splints of willow, walnut, hickory, oak, and ash with a minimum walnut, hickory, oak, and ash with a minimum of tools and hardware.of tools and hardware.

So how did baskets travel from one So how did baskets travel from one part of the world to another?part of the world to another?

With the explorers, of course. And this is how the With the explorers, of course. And this is how the various techniques of baskets also traveled to other various techniques of baskets also traveled to other parts of the world.parts of the world.

As the explorers arrived in new lands, they traded As the explorers arrived in new lands, they traded goods they carried in baskets. As the recipient of the goods they carried in baskets. As the recipient of the goods looked over the basket, he then applied that goods looked over the basket, he then applied that technique to the materials of his own land. This technique to the materials of his own land. This explains how so many Asian techniques- like explains how so many Asian techniques- like hexagonal weaves- are found in European baskets, hexagonal weaves- are found in European baskets, and how European techniques were then carried over and how European techniques were then carried over to the Americas.to the Americas.

Day TwoDay Two

Students will:Students will:

1.) Learn about the rattan palm vine1.) Learn about the rattan palm vine

2.) Begin weaving with the weaver2.) Begin weaving with the weaver

3.) Add a new weaver3.) Add a new weaver

4.) Learn how to shape their baskets4.) Learn how to shape their baskets

5.) Choose 4 pieces of dyed reed for 5.) Choose 4 pieces of dyed reed for

Day ThreeDay Three

The Rattan Palm VineThe Rattan Palm Vine

Rattan is actually the stem of a climbing palm, a Rattan is actually the stem of a climbing palm, a rugged woody vine which can be steamed and formed rugged woody vine which can be steamed and formed into any desired shape. The large rattan palm vines into any desired shape. The large rattan palm vines grow up to 600 feet in length and are cut when they grow up to 600 feet in length and are cut when they are 7 to 10 years old. The vine is usually cut about are 7 to 10 years old. The vine is usually cut about three feet above the ground. The remaining shoot three feet above the ground. The remaining shoot continues to grow and in seven years, is ready to continues to grow and in seven years, is ready to harvest again. Rattan is an extraordinarily versatile harvest again. Rattan is an extraordinarily versatile material, extremely durable and tough, as well as material, extremely durable and tough, as well as resilient and flexible. resilient and flexible.

Harvesting the Rattan Palm VineHarvesting the Rattan Palm Vine

The spines make the collection of rattan very The spines make the collection of rattan very difficult.difficult.

Collectors harvest rattan from deep in the rain Collectors harvest rattan from deep in the rain forest. They pull the vines down from the forest. They pull the vines down from the forest canopy and remove the spiny leaves. forest canopy and remove the spiny leaves. Bare cane is carried out of the rain forest and Bare cane is carried out of the rain forest and partially processed before being sold to partially processed before being sold to middlemen who then transport it to major middlemen who then transport it to major cities for further processing. cities for further processing.

Shortage of RattanShortage of Rattan

Until recently almost all rattan was collected from Until recently almost all rattan was collected from tropical rain forests. With forest destruction, the tropical rain forests. With forest destruction, the habitat area of rattan has decreased rapidly over the habitat area of rattan has decreased rapidly over the last few decades and there is now a shortage of last few decades and there is now a shortage of supply. The Forest Department in Indonesia has supply. The Forest Department in Indonesia has become aware of the vulnerability of the rattan supply become aware of the vulnerability of the rattan supply and has begun a cultivation program aimed at and has begun a cultivation program aimed at safeguarding the long-term supply of rattan cane for safeguarding the long-term supply of rattan cane for the industry. the industry.

Cultivation of rattan appears to be viable and offers Cultivation of rattan appears to be viable and offers the best possibility for future supply the best possibility for future supply

Day ThreeDay Three

Students will:Students will:1.) Continue weaving by introducing the 1.) Continue weaving by introducing the dyed reeddyed reed2.) Incorporate patterns using the dyed 2.) Incorporate patterns using the dyed reed reed3.) Learn two techniques for creating a 3.) Learn two techniques for creating a

rim rim for their baskets for their baskets4.) Be introduced to several different 4.) Be introduced to several different examples of baskets examples of baskets

Nantucket Lightship BasketsNantucket Lightship Baskets

Nantucket Lightship BasketsNantucket Lightship Baskets The men stationed to monitor the ship for months at a The men stationed to monitor the ship for months at a

time were on two watches. This provided leisure time time were on two watches. This provided leisure time which they began to fill with the weaving of baskets. which they began to fill with the weaving of baskets.

The Lightship baskets were quite unique with their The Lightship baskets were quite unique with their combination of cane sides and wood spokes combination of cane sides and wood spokes emanating from a grooved wooden bottom. The emanating from a grooved wooden bottom. The quality of the Nantucket Lightship Baskets was quality of the Nantucket Lightship Baskets was superior to the plain baskets which had preceded superior to the plain baskets which had preceded them. them.

A set of these baskets from the period of the original A set of these baskets from the period of the original days is quite valuable today. A nested set of 6 sold at days is quite valuable today. A nested set of 6 sold at auction at Sotheby's in 1994 for $119,000. auction at Sotheby's in 1994 for $119,000.

Native American BasketsNative American Baskets

Native American BasketsNative American Baskets

In earlier days, baskets accompanied Indian In earlier days, baskets accompanied Indian people throughout their lives. Babies were people throughout their lives. Babies were carried in baskets, meals were prepared and carried in baskets, meals were prepared and cooked in them, worldly goods were stored in cooked in them, worldly goods were stored in them, and people were buried in them. them, and people were buried in them.

Botswana BasketsBotswana Baskets

Botswana BasketsBotswana Baskets

Botswana baskets are widely regarded as some of the Botswana baskets are widely regarded as some of the finest baskets in Africa, and certainly the best in finest baskets in Africa, and certainly the best in southern Africa. Their high quality, outstanding southern Africa. Their high quality, outstanding craftsmanship and originality have gained them craftsmanship and originality have gained them international recognition and they are now exported international recognition and they are now exported to many countries around the worldto many countries around the world

The baskets are made of The baskets are made of mokolwanemokolwane palm which are palm which are cut and boiled in natural earth toned colorings.cut and boiled in natural earth toned colorings.

The shape of the baskets vary according to their The shape of the baskets vary according to their function.function.

Post Activity / AssessmentPost Activity / Assessment

Students will bring in a basket from home,Students will bring in a basket from home,

gather in small groups and discuss thegather in small groups and discuss the

differences and similarities.differences and similarities. Students will locate the spokes, weavers, and Students will locate the spokes, weavers, and

rimrim Students will describe the basket using the Students will describe the basket using the

appropriate vocabulary taught in the lessonappropriate vocabulary taught in the lesson