The following is a rough outline of the handwork and craft curriculum as it progresses through the grades. It may well be that as we develop the Curriculum we change some of this around somewhat, add to it and take from it, but we wanted people to get an idea of how the handwork curriculum, like the rest of the Christopherus Curriculum, flows and develops over the years. So please regard this document as a “work in progress”!

We have had assistance in developing our handwork curriculum. Lauri Bolland (whose daughter Grace is pictured to the right, holding a finished project from the 3rd grade curriculum) created most of our 2nd and 3rd grade handwork projects. And former Christopherus consultant, Lisa Marshall developed our 4th grade handwork curriculum.

First Grade

Working with wool – carding, making crafts. Knitting. Seasonal nature crafts. Making puppets. (First Grade Curriculum)

Second Grade

Continuing with wool – using a drop spindle if possible; dyeing wool; knitting and crocheting. Simple felting projects. Seasonal nature crafts. Making puppets. (Second Grade Curriculum)

Third Grade

Native American crafts; using a drop spindle; crocheting a hat; simple felting project; making a needle case and a felt pocket organizer; carpentry. (Third Grade Curriculum)

Forth Grade

Macramé; knitting a hat and mittens; crocheting various items; quilting 1; needle felting; paper crafts; whittling; carpentry. (Fourth Grade Curriculum)

Fifth Grade

Embroidered bag; 4 needle socks; quilting 2; geometric star patterns for windows; batik print; more whittling. (Fifth Grade Curriculum)

Sixth Grade

Woodwork – salad spoon and fork; mosaic; further block printing; moveable wooden toys; cross stitch pillow with geometric pattern; three dimensional stuffed animal; soft stone carving.

Seventh Grade

Knit a sweater; sewing project such as an apron; origami and similar complex crafts; jewelry making; carve a bowl; embroidered pattern using early Christian (e.g. Book of Kells) or Islamic calligraphy.

Eighth Grade

Following a pattern and using a sewing machine to make a shirt; build a doll’s house or a box with hinges; make paper and a book; make a doll.