Over the past few years CHA has done several research studies to investigate how elementary school teachers use hands-on craft projects in the core subject areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Math and Science. The study findings confirm what many educators have believed for years – student learning improves when classroom lessons incorporate hands-on craft activities. The research also found that while many teachers actively use hands-on learning techniques in the classroom, money and time are two major issues that prevent them from incorporating craft projects into their lesson plans more often. Teacherplace.org was created as a result of this research and in response to the need for time-sensitive craft projects that can be easily tied to a wide variety of lesson plans. Below are the major findings of each study. We invite you to share your comments with us so we can continue to respond to our teachers’ needs as well as emphasize the importance and value of hands-on learning. The Academic Value of Hands-on Craft Projects in Elementary Schools Conducted in 2001 by ROCKMAN ET AL, an independent educational research and consulting company, the study revealed the following key findings: Student learning improves when classroom lessons incorporate hands-on craft activities. Students develop greater curiosity about the subject matter when craft projects are included. Student behavior and socialization skills improve when crafts are undertaken. Teachers regularly use craft projects to teach the core subjects and link the projects to state and national curriculum standards. Teachers say learning through craft projects accommodates students with different learning styles. Click here to read the: Executive Summary | Full Report Focus Group Research In 2005 teachers from two different U.S. cities, Paramus, NJ and Cleveland, OH, participated in two focus group studies. Key findings of these studies include: Crafts can enhance the lesson and the learning process and in many cases are vital to the learning process. Crafts can be a break from some of the serious and boring academic activities Through the use of crafts, teachers gain a better understanding of the child’s thought process Teachers agree the average amount of time for a craft activity in the classroom is thirty minutes Click here to share your comments with us		"Crafting is a hands-on experience. If the children live it, they learn it and it stays with them forever." Barbara De George, Columbus School Mt. Vernon, New York
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