2007 Printable Manual - Texas State Library and Archives ...

Sail Away With Books!
What better way to spend a summer day than sailing on a beautiful breeze? While not
every teen has the opportunity to sail, some of the skills of sailors, such as tying knots,
are useful in everyday life. In this program, teens will learn to tie simple and intricate
knots such as figure eights and stop knots and will learn about sailing. They will also
learn how knots can be used in everyday life.
Preparation
Contact local community organizations such as state parks, sailing groups, scout leaders,
marinas, or local experts about giving a presentation on sailing and tying knots. In
advance, prepare and copy a handout with directions for tying knots. You will find
instructions for tying knots in books or at web sites for outdoor adventuring, such as
Northern Moun tain Supply, www.northernmountain.com/gearinfo/knotinfo.asp or the
Explorers At S ea web site at www.cccoe.net/lifeatsea/student/knots.htm. Provide several
pieces of rope or thick string for the teens to ties into knots. For beginners, the thicker the
rope the easier it is to learn how to tie.
Gather books from your collection to display about sailing and knots.
Books to Display
Chapman Essential Marine Knots by Dominique Le Brun.
40 Knots to Know: Hitchings, Loops, Bends and Bindings by Emily Stetson.
The Handbook of Knots by Des Pawson.
Knots and How to Tie Them by Walter B. Gibson.
Books to Booktalk
The Book of Knots: How to Tie 200 Practical Knots by Geoffery Budworth.
Encyclopedia of Knots: An Easy-To-Use, Step-By-Step Guide to Expert Knot Tying by
Cristian Biosca.
Knots In My Yo-Yo String: The Autobiography of a Kid by Jerry Spinelli.
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer.
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi.
Bulletin Board
Cover the bulletin board with white or colored kraft paper or with fabric that has a
nautical design. Use die-cut letters to spell out “Tied into Knots?” and staple the caption
at the top of the bulletin board. Attach pictures of different types of knots or actual pieces
of rope tied into knots. You can find examples on web sites such as Northern Mountain
Supply, www.northernmountain.com/gearinfo/knotinfo.asp or the Explorers At Sea web
site at www.cccoe.net/lifeatsea/student/knots.htm.
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