Spin Me a Story
Students examine why spinning and weaving are common motifs in creation of myths and folktalesCopyright Microsoft Corporation, 1983-2001.
In a spin-off to studying about angular momentum, students use basic methods of comparative mythology to consider why spinning and weaving are common motifs in creation of myths and folktales. Note: The literacy activities for the Mechanics unit are based on physical themes that have broad application to our experience in the world — concepts of rhythm, balance, spin, gravity, levity, inertia, momentum, friction, stress and tension.
Since the days of hand spinning wheels and weaving looms, the modern textile industry has become highly mechanized for mass production with the use of engineer-designed equipment. The textile industry is also continually evolving with the engineering of creative materials — micro fibers, high-tech fibers and polymeric structures — that provide special characteristics such as vapor-humidity transmission, liquid-humidity transmission, air permeability, static electricity or thermal properties, for use in everything from rain jackets to cleaning up oil spills to medical surgery.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Apply skills in analysis, synthesis, evaluation and explanation to their writing and speaking.
- Write and speak in the content areas using the technical vocabulary of the subject accurately.
- Relate the concepts of spinning and weaving in an engineering context.