National Endowment for the Humanities
History in Quilts
Learners investigate the use of cloth-based art forms intended to pass down traditions and history. They research types of quilts, quilt characteristics and then identify how Freedom Quilts were historically used in the US.
Curated OER
Family Quilts Keep us Warm
Learners explore families and culture. In this family and culture lesson, students discuss their families and their similarities and differences. Learners read the book The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco and create their own quilt...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: The Keeping Quilt
Students consider tier two vocabulary words. In this vocabulary lesson, students investigate the meaning of new vocabulary words found while reading The Keeping Quilt. Students record their new vocabulary words using a word journal or...
Curated OER
Family Quilts Keep Us Warm
Students explore different types of families and cultures. They create a paper quilt with geometric designs of similar colors to show unity and pictures of each of their families to show diversity.
Curated OER
Math On Your Lap Quilt
Get creative juices flowing when you allow groups to figure out a procedure for how to find the area of squares and rectangles. They may use the individual patchwork blocks, or they may design one using the Design Template.
Curated OER
Story Quilt Project
Students investigate how quilt making was a family and community activity. They read and discuss books, complete various handouts, and create a paper quilt celebrating philanthropic activities.
Curated OER
Making a Quilt
Students use vocabulary to describe the quilt making process. For this quilting lesson, students collect needed materials, sequence the steps for quilting and create an original peace quilt. Students write about their quilts.
Curated OER
Quilting - A Pioneer Craft
Fifth graders explore quilting in pioneer families. In this quilting lesson, 5th graders review the history of quilts, the role of women, and quilting patterns. They create their own pattern and quilt square.
Curated OER
Sew, You Want To Quilt?
Students become familiar with the achievements of the artist Faith Ringgold. They take notice of the patterns in their environment. They connect the mathematical concept of patterns to create a class quilt.
Curated OER
South Carolina Crazy Paper Quilt of Facts
Third graders listen as the teacher reads a book about quilts, before they discuss the craftsmanship used in making quilts. They study the regions and symbols associated with their state. They make a quilt square using one of the facts...
San Francisco Symphony
Quilt Making and Copland's Rodeo
Kids make quilts as they learn about pioneer life and the concept of tempo. The Aaron Copland piece, Rodeo is used to convey rhythm and tempo in music. As the children discuss tempo and rhythm, they also discuss what life was like for...
Curated OER
Patchwork Quilting
Second graders use symmetry to create their own small quilt squares. They attach all of the squares to create a large class quilt.
Curated OER
Quilting Bee-Assembly Line Style
Students identify the roles of a producer and a consumer. For this economics lesson, students define the roles of a consumer and producer and produce a quilt using an assembly line.
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Keeping Us in Stitches Activity: Crazy-Quilt Collage Design
Students create collages using the irregular-shaped and sized pieces, decorative stitching, and applied or painted motifs that reflect the Crazy-Quilt style, and explain how and why their design fits into that style.
Curated OER
Gee's Bend Quilts
Third graders identify five new facts about the quilts, women, and community of Gee's Bend and finish their quilts by sewing the four edges of the quilt down. They review the color wheel and what the terms Primary, Secondary, Analogous,...
Curated OER
Gee's Bend Quilts Three
Third graders identify and practice sewing a dashed line in an arch shape. They identify with five new facts about quilts, women, and the community of Gee's Bend. Finally, 3rd graders complete the quilt top, batting and backing together.
Curated OER
Prairie Activity: Prairie Quilt
Students investigate prairie life in the 19th century. They research quilts and prairie images online, take a photo of an object related to prairie life, transfer the image onto fabric, and create a class quilt.
Curated OER
Make Your Own Quilt Square
In this quilting squares worksheet, students follow the provided steps to create their own quilt squares. Diagrams are included as well.
Curated OER
Covered with Love: A Look at Me Quilt
Learners create a bright and busy quilt to visually stimulate an infant or toddler. They use both hand applique and machine applique to piece together colorful scraps using many different shapes and patterns.
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The Keeping Quilt
Students discover story analysis by discussing a book the class reads together. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read the book The Keeping Quilt and discuss the different characters and plot points among the...
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The Art of the Quilt
Pupils examine why fabric was first sewn in layers and how it was used. They identify, compare and make 3 different fabric design types which will become a basis for looking at the quilts created by African Americans. They begin the...
Curated OER
Story Quilts
Students create story quilts. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read a book and create a paper quilt square to display illustrations and events from the text.
Curated OER
Family Quilts Keep Us Warm
Students discuss and describe the differences and similarities in families. After reciting finger plays about families, they draw pictures of their own families. Next, they incorporate their family pictures into a paper quilt.
Curated OER
Keeping Us in Stitches Activity: Hexagon Quilt Top Design
Students examine how the hexagon shape can be a building block for quilt patterns. They view images of quilts, discuss symmetry and design patterns, and create and name an original quilt design.