When I look at my classroom and the things I have in it, I can honestly say that I’m a bit of a hoarder. I keep seasonal decorations, supplies, organization items, and tons of other things that I hardly use. However, I can say that having a ball of yarn in my closet has come in handy often through my years as a teacher. Here’s 5 ways I’ve used a ball of yarn in the classroom and why you should have one too!
**If you’re curious about other classroom supplies that I feel are a must-have, check out my back to school post!**
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1. Community building
When doing community builders and icebreakers, I love to break out my ball of yarn for something different! My favorite activity is to start with the ball of yarn and everyone in a circle. Then one person holds the end and states something about themself. Then if someone connects, the yarn is tossed to them with the other person holding on. This continues until everyone is connected to the yarn through this big yarn web. It’s such a great way to show that everyone is connected through something!
2. Timeline
Create an interactive timeline of events! I’ve handed out a bunch of different events to students, who then identify different aspects about their event and then they go up to the timeline to place their event! Through the unit, we keep the timeline up to reference if we need a reminder of what’s happened.
3. Concept connections
Very similar to the community builder, students are all given a concept on a piece of paper and they have to explain how it connects to another one they can see in the circle. Then the person holding that concept is given the yarn to create our web until all concepts are connected.
4. Banner making
If you have an artistic project you want to show off, a unique way to set it up would be to put a hole punch or two at the top. Then string them together with the yarn to create a student-made banner!
5. Plot tracking
As an English teacher, I’m often drawing the plot diagram and we spend time identifying the different events of the story. But rather than drawing it on the board, I sometimes put it on the wall with yarn – just to change it up!
6. Literally anytime you need to tie something
There’s times that you need to tie things in the classroom. Maybe you want to roll up posters? Tie with yarn. You forgot a hair tie? Put it back with yarn. Student forgot a belt? Give them yarn to make a belt (yes, this has happened in my classroom).
While a ball of yarn is something so simple, you can find a bright color or something colorful that you feel matches your aesthetic, classroom decor, or even school colors! Some of my favorites I’ve had in the past are sparkly yarn or chunky knit.
Yarn is such a versatile classroom supply to keep in your classroom – as shown above. Plus I’m sure there are more ways to use it!
