Catching Sunlight: A Solar Dying Project in Third grade

By Paula van den Broek, Third Grade Class Teacher

At the beginning of the school year, the third grade embarked on a project to solar dye wool felt that they would then sew into pencil cases. Solar dying is a relatively easy, yet magical way to dye natural material like wool or silk using plants. The fiber is put in a jar with warm water and plenty of flowers, leaves, peels, berries or pits that will release their color when placed in a sunny spot.

During the first week of school, third graders went on a walk through the Great Meadows Conservation Land to gather plants that would be good for dyeing. Within the boundaries of the school garden, the boardwalk and the bike path, the students collected various plants, including: Queen Anne’s lace, wild sunflower, poke berries and jewelweed. Nineteen jars containing different dye materials created a colorful display on the windowsills of the classroom. After about 10 days the jars were emptied of their contents and the wool was washed, dried, and ironed. Each student selected two different colors of wool and began sewing! To keep the material from fraying, the third graders sewed around the pencil case with a blanket stitch. They also ensured each pencil was given its own slot by sewing them individually.

The class was proud to have completed their own pencil cases from start to finish. Learning was brought to life as the students actively participated in the process of fabricating their own pencil cases—they were inspired by the beautiful colors rendered by the plants while gaining some dexterity in the process!

Through this hands-on project, the students discovered how elements from the natural world are used in practical aspects of life, such as garment manufacturing. The class will also explore the cultivation of food and the building of shelters in the months to come. Click here to view photos of the various stages of this project.