Fabric, a material so often taken for granted, makes a fascinating study for early-childhood students. In this unit, students are introduced to a wide variety of fabrics in a systematic way so they become familiar with fabrics' properties, discover what happens when they are tested, and discover how they interact with other materials.

Trainer Tips:

Fabric absorbency test: Some of the fabrics will absorb the water right away without spreading out [i.e. terry cloth & denim]. Some soak in but spread out into a bigger spot [i.e. satin, seersucker, knit]. Some bead up first and then soak in [i.e. corduroy, fleece]. Then there's rip stop nylon which beads up and never soaks in. This is a lesson to basically show that some fabrics are good absorbers and are used for towels or robes. Others are good for keeping us dry - like rip stop nylon. It also shows how water moves through fabric [quickly or slowly] and to show how some fabrics will dry quickly after getting wet because of the fibers they are made of.

Interactive Activities for the Fabric Unit

Additional Photos

Supplemental Literacy Lists

Teacher Recommended Resources

Recommended Websites

What are people saying about the Fabric Einstein science unit?

"The kids love wearing their own fabric and dying their clothes."
--Jessica Rodriguez, Grade K teacher at Eisenhower Elementary School, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

"The kit continues to be great for hands-on learning. The students enjoyed weaving and tie-dying."
--Diane Anderson, Grade K teacher/Ada Weber, Grade 1 teacher at Dr. Martin Luther King School, Green Bay, Wisconsin

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