Lesson Plans for Classroom & Homeschooling
When I planed Quilts to Warm Each Sleeping Baby and Child: History & Patterns one of the goals I had in mind was that the series could be used to teach quilt history through some interesting projects. The information can be adapted to various age groups and subjects.
Consumer Science/Home Economics students could actually make one or more of the doll quilts and in the process learn the methods used during the different periods. The patterns also offer some interesting configurations for a math class and the quilts could be done with colored paper or scrapbook paper. An art class could study this as one of the acceptable ways women of the past could express their creativity. Of course the children's quilt series would be ideal for history as well.
The series would also be great for primary and intermediate students for it integrates math, art and history in one series of lessons. Children are bound to be interested in what life was like for children of the past. I find they are always amazed at how different it was "back then".
The links below are lesson plans found online. They can be a way to get started on plans for your students but do evaluate them as to how they will work for your students. Also check for accuracy of the facts.
The Library of Congress: Quilts and Quiltmaking in America, 1978-1996
Find site related lesson plans for US history, critical thinking and arts & humanities.
The Road to California - A Journey to Freedom
Lesson plans based on the westward journey of Black American, Biddy Mason.
A Stitch in Time! An Internet WebQuest on Quilting Traditions
Teams research Native American, African American and Amish quilting.
Quilts in the Classroom
"Covering" American History for 5th grade
Quilt squares are made relating to American history topics.
Stories in Quilts for grades K-2
Four lessons beginning with an introduction to the concept of story quilts and ending with the story quilts made by Black American slave, Harriet Powers. Extensive Internet resources are included.
Family and Friendship in Quilts for grades K-2
This plan connects quilting history with family history so quilts and genealogy are combined.
The Art of the Quilt for grades 3-5
Lesson plans including early quilting, African American quilting and creating a story quilt.
History in Quilts for grades 3-5
One of the lesson plans addresses Underground Railroad quilts. Quilt historians have found no documentation of quilts being used this way so this could be a good chance for students to study the difference between myth and documented history. The last lesson is on patriotic quilts which could be extended by looking at quilts made after 9/11/01.
QuiltEthnic.com Lesson Plans
Links to lesson plans on African, African American, Native American, Hmong and multicultural quilting.
Find several good links to more lesson plans at Textile Arts - Fiber Arts (Lesson Plans)
There are many excellent children's books about quilting of the past. They can be great part of a unit using quilting but remember that even though they may be based on something in history most are still fiction. This bibliography has an extensive list of quilt related books, history and otherwise.
