Dream Catching in Year 4

In Global this half term, the children have been learning all about Native American culture and the symbolism of dreamcatchers.  According to Ojibwe legend, the dream catchers started as spider webs, made by a Spider Woman known called Asibikaashi.  These protective charms were designed to take care of the children and the people on the land but as the Ojibwe Nation spread to the corners of North America it became difficult for Asibikaashi to reach everyone, so mothers and grandmothers began to weave webs for the children that could be hung over their beds to take care of them.

Before starting the intricate and painstaking process of making their dream catchers, the children first designed them thinking carefully about what colours they would use, the pattern of their web and any decorative features such where to include beads and feathers.  Mrs P-S was impressed by how the children persevered with tricky knot tying and worked cooperatively to help each other to untangle wool and give advice about different approaches to the task and she can’t wait to see the finished dream catchers!