If you want to learn to knit, and you’re not sure where or how to start (or whether you’ll even like knitting), this guide may provide just the basic, step-by-step encouragement you need! Here you will find 49 consecutive lessons which will guide you to learn, practise and apply basic knitting skills. These skills are, in order: how to ‘cast on’; how to do the ‘knit’ stitch; how to do the ‘purl’ stitch; how to ‘cast off’; how to combine ‘knit’ and ‘purl’ stitches to make 11 different knitting patterns; and how to do three, more advanced stitches (‘yarn over needle’, ‘knit two together’, 'purl two together’) which will also be used in patterns. Labels are provided for each of the patterns, which you can pin to your finished samples for easy reference. Three bonus lessons provide basic instructions for completing a simple project: a washcloth or doll blanket, a hair ‘thingy’, or a scarf. Important: Please note that this is only a lesson guide; the lessons here only offer a plan for you to follow in order to acquire the skills you need, one at a time, in an enjoyable, encouraging, effective and satisfying manner. To learn the actual mechanics of knitting, you will need to refer to a handful of clear, full-colour, free websites (addresses provided), or to a library book or parent/friend. Knitting and other crafts (such as paper mosaics) are excellent tools for developing fine motor skills. This in turn can improve a student’s performance in other areas such as playing a musical instrument, writing neatly, attention to detail, patience, and the ability to concentrate for longer periods of time. Go slowly and be generous with your praise – fine work takes practise and perseverance!

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Snake’, featuring three short pieces of music: two traditional Wandjine songs, and one children’s song by Don Spencer (Don’t Ever Step On A Snake’. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a nice way to re-use brightly-coloured thin cardboard from common household packaging! Included are: Detailed instructions with visuals Tips Four small and four large ‘autumn leaves’ templates Four small and four large ‘hearts’ templates Four small and four large ‘snowflakes’ templates samples of completed mosaics Make your empty Kleenex boxes into a pretty craft! Larger cardboard mosaics can be completed by younger children, and smaller ones by older children, teens or adults. Use your completed mosaic to decorate the cover of a notebook, make a card, as a wall hanging, or give it as a gift! Cardboard Mosaics and other similar crafts (such as cut and paste puzzles) are excellent tools for developing fine motor skills. This in turn can improve a student’s ability to play a musical instrument, write neatly, give attention to detail, show patience, and concentrate for longer periods of time. Go slowly and be generous with your praise – fine work takes practise and perseverance!

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Water’, featuring two pieces of classical instrumental music: ‘Freedom’ for harp, and ‘The Sea in Spring’ for guitar and flute. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Autumn Leaves’, featuring two pieces of Chinese music: ‘Sky Road’ by Peng Li Yuan, and ‘Chinese Ancient Music’ performed on an unidentified plucked string instrument. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

This Valentine’s Day, cultivate your love of the English language and the time-honoured art of beautiful handwriting! We live in a society that allows us to be bombarded with ‘perfect’ images many times a day. Here is an opportunity to take a step back in time, become more attuned to the beauty of the ever-changing English language and to relish your own unique, perfectly ‘imperfect’ creativity. Here you will learn a bit about the history of English and the surprising variety that has existed in spelling and word choice through the centuries. Further assignments will cultivate a bit of love for your own handwriting by practising longhand or block letters, or by learning the uncial alphabet and trying a bit of calligraphy! Colouring and crafts instructions for making your own Valentine’s Day cards and decorations (with suggested musical accompaniment) will allow you to cultivate a love of beautiful artistic achievements. Contents • two files, one for younger students (age 8-10) and one for older students (age 11-13) • Thomas Campion’s poem ‘Tune Thy Musicke To Thy Hart’ in various formats • a brief History of English Spelling (separate texts for each age group) • vocabulary lists and a closer look at the word ‘affect’ (younger students only) • reading comprehension questions (older students only) • handwriting and calligraphy practise • colouring pages and Valentine’s Day card cut-outs (to be coloured in and written on by the student) • instructions and answer key Poem on which the unit study is based: Tune thy Musicke to thy hart, Sing thy joy with thanks, and so thy sorrow : Though Devotion needes not Art, Sometimes of the poore the rich may borrow. Strive not yet for curious wayes : Concord pleaseth more, the lesse 'tis strained ; Zeale affects not outward prayse, Only strives to show a love unfeigned. Love can wondrous things affect, Sweetest Sacrifice, all wrath appeasing ; Love the Highest doth respect ; Love alone to Him is ever pleasing. By Thomas Campion (1567- 1620)