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KENTE CLOTH
by Barbara Sonek

GRADES: 3-12

I did this project with my students and the results were quite impressive. The weaving and design looks almost like the cloth from Africa. It can be used as a wall hanging or table decoration.

MATERIALS:

  • colored construction paper: red, green, orange, yellow, brown, black
  • scissors
  • glue
  • crayons in an assortment of colours
  • scissors
  • METHOD:

  • Cut black sheets of construction paper into 9x12 pieces. Cut the remaining colors into strips 1/2 inch by 12 inch strips.
  • Fold the black contruction paper in half horizontally, and make cuts approximately 1 inch apart. Do not cut all the way to the top. Leave approximately 2 inches at the top.
  • Weave the other colors as tightly as possible to form a checkerboard design.
  • Glue down the ends so that the weave does not come apart.
  • Have the students use the crayons to make designs in the squares. It is helpful to have a real piece of kente cloth, or a book of African Patterns as an example.
  • After the project is completed, the student then takes a pair of scissors and makes fringe on the long sides of the paper.
  • As is the tradition during Kwanzaa, ears of corn can be drawn by the students and glued to the kente cloth. This of course is optional.

    The designs can then be displayed.

    Lesson plan courtesy of Barabara Sonek
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