feb spikes picture frame
This activity facilitates consolidation of the following school curriculum subjects: Mathematics, Design & Technology, Art, Science.
PARENTS
Spike’s Square Stick Frame
February 2017
Can you make a square picture frame from sticks?
Method:
• To make a square, first you need to decide how many sides it has and collect this number of sticks.
• Think about a suitable length and thickness for your sticks. (About as long as your forearm and as thick as your finger.)
• Create your 2D square on the ground with your sticks. Count the number of corners & number of sides.
• Cross the sticks over at the corners. Manoeuvre your sticks so that your square has sides of equal lengths.
• Choose one corner to lash together first. Tie a clove hitch, slip onto one stick and then use the square lashing technique to secure the first corner of two sticks. Ensure the lashings are tight and secure. Add further wrappings if necessary. Tie off the first lashing with a reef knot to secure it. (Scroll down for knots & lashings guidance).
• Repeat for the other corners. You now have a square!
Ideas for use:
You could use your square as a ‘quadrant’ by throwing it into a space in outside and studying and identifying the species you find in your square. You could turn your square into a ‘picture frame’ if desired by adding an extra piece of string as a hanger. Alternatively, you could turn it onto a ‘weaving square’ by looping wool in vertical rows and then finding nature to weave in and out of the wool.
Ideas to consolidate shape knowledge:
Can you measure the perimeter of your square? Can you calculate the area? Can you say whether your square has right angles, acute/ obtuse/ reflex angles? Can you measure your square’s angles with a protractor? Can you find out whether your shape has perpendicular or parallel lines?
www.outdoorlearningmadeeasy.co.uk ©
This activity facilitates consolidation of the following school curriculum subjects: Mathematics, Design & Technology, Art, Science.
PARENTS
Spike’s Square Stick Frame
February 2017
Here is some guidance for tying the knots and lashings…
Clove Hitch- For starting off your lashing
1.) Make a loop in the string by wrapping the string up and over. (fish)
2.) Make a second loop below the first loop in the string the same way. (dish)
3.) Place the top loop on top of the second loop (fish on the dish).
4.) Slip this loop onto a stick and pull tight.
Square Lashing- to secure two sticks together in a cross
1.
Leave a little bit of string loose (you will need this to tie it off at the end), and use the
longer end of your string for the lashing.
2. Cross two sticks over for the first corner of your square. Wrap your string over, under, over, under, over, under each stick in an anti-clockwise direction to make 3 full circular wraps.
3. Now loop around one stick and then turn in the opposite direction, so you are wrapping under, over, under, over clockwise for 3 full circular wraps. make sure your wraps are tight.
Reef Knot- to secure your lashing
1. Take the two ends of string. Place the left over the right, loop under and back to the start.
2. Now place the right over the left, loop through and pull tight.
3. This reef knot will secure your lashing.
www.outdoorlearningmadeeasy.co.uk ©
PARENTS
Spike’s Square Stick Frame
February 2017
Can you make a square picture frame from sticks?
Method:
• To make a square, first you need to decide how many sides it has and collect this number of sticks.
• Think about a suitable length and thickness for your sticks. (About as long as your forearm and as thick as your finger.)
• Create your 2D square on the ground with your sticks. Count the number of corners & number of sides.
• Cross the sticks over at the corners. Manoeuvre your sticks so that your square has sides of equal lengths.
• Choose one corner to lash together first. Tie a clove hitch, slip onto one stick and then use the square lashing technique to secure the first corner of two sticks. Ensure the lashings are tight and secure. Add further wrappings if necessary. Tie off the first lashing with a reef knot to secure it. (Scroll down for knots & lashings guidance).
• Repeat for the other corners. You now have a square!
Ideas for use:
You could use your square as a ‘quadrant’ by throwing it into a space in outside and studying and identifying the species you find in your square. You could turn your square into a ‘picture frame’ if desired by adding an extra piece of string as a hanger. Alternatively, you could turn it onto a ‘weaving square’ by looping wool in vertical rows and then finding nature to weave in and out of the wool.
Ideas to consolidate shape knowledge:
Can you measure the perimeter of your square? Can you calculate the area? Can you say whether your square has right angles, acute/ obtuse/ reflex angles? Can you measure your square’s angles with a protractor? Can you find out whether your shape has perpendicular or parallel lines?
www.outdoorlearningmadeeasy.co.uk ©
This activity facilitates consolidation of the following school curriculum subjects: Mathematics, Design & Technology, Art, Science.
PARENTS
Spike’s Square Stick Frame
February 2017
Here is some guidance for tying the knots and lashings…
Clove Hitch- For starting off your lashing
1.) Make a loop in the string by wrapping the string up and over. (fish)
2.) Make a second loop below the first loop in the string the same way. (dish)
3.) Place the top loop on top of the second loop (fish on the dish).
4.) Slip this loop onto a stick and pull tight.
Square Lashing- to secure two sticks together in a cross
1.
Leave a little bit of string loose (you will need this to tie it off at the end), and use the
longer end of your string for the lashing.
2. Cross two sticks over for the first corner of your square. Wrap your string over, under, over, under, over, under each stick in an anti-clockwise direction to make 3 full circular wraps.
3. Now loop around one stick and then turn in the opposite direction, so you are wrapping under, over, under, over clockwise for 3 full circular wraps. make sure your wraps are tight.
Reef Knot- to secure your lashing
1. Take the two ends of string. Place the left over the right, loop under and back to the start.
2. Now place the right over the left, loop through and pull tight.
3. This reef knot will secure your lashing.
www.outdoorlearningmadeeasy.co.uk ©
