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.
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Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
Third graders read the story, "Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" and discuss slavery. After answering questions about the story, 3rd graders sing "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd" and explore the clues in each verse that allowed the slaves to...
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Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
Learners read and understand the book Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. In this language activity, students understand the Ebonics and colloquialisms of the book. Learners discuss the events and vocabulary used. Students explain their...
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Quilt to Freedom
Students investigate the Underground Railroad. In this African-American history lesson, students listen to the book Clara and the Freedom Quilt and use map skills to identify the various locations in the book. Students create a freedom...
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Math Quilts
Students examine geometric quilt patterns to identify how math may have been used to help slaves escape to freedom. They slide, flip and turn geometric shapes to create a map quilt.
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Underground Railroad/Quilts
Students explore the Underground Railroad communication system. In this cross curriculum fine arts and United States history Civil War instructional activity, students view several websites that feature quilts constructed by slaves...
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Quilts and the Underground Railroad
Third graders explore the use of freedom quilts in helping slaves escape to freedom using the Underground Railroad. They review the various quilt blocks that were used to give directions on the Underground Railroad. Students create their...
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Philanthropic Literature: Quilt to Freedom
A reading of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson launches this study of slavery, freedom, and the Underground Railroad. After a discussion of the importance of showing respect for others and of helping each other in...
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Linoleum Reduction Print Quilts
Students identify quilt designs along with the meanings and symbolism behind those designs. They explain the uses of a quilt and the controversial connection to the Underground Railroad.
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The Secret to Freedom Teacher’s Guide
Students read the story "The Secret to Freedom" and participate in active reading to personalize what they have read. In this reading lesson, students follow several writing activities and discuss their work . Students integrate their...
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Making the Connection With Quilts
Fourth graders engage in a lesson which integrates the study of the Underground Railroad in Indiana with a Language Arts unit on quilts. They write a book report on one of the quilt books read in class and design a quilt block for the...
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Making the Connection With Quilts
Fourth graders explore history of Underground Railroad in Indiana and discover how slaves were assisted on their journey using codes displayed in different quilt blocks. Students examine connection quilts have to ancestry and family...
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Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
In this Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt worksheet, students read the book Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt and answer short answer questions about it. Students complete 10 questions total.
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Tolerance Quilt
Fifth graders read stories about giving and poverty and discuss why it is important to give to others. In this giving lesson plan, 5th graders make quilts to give to those in need.
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Aboriginal Quilting Activity
Students explore Aboriginal culture by participating in an art activity. In this First Nation history lesson, students utilize the Internet to research images and designs from Native American culture. Students create images on quilting...
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Art -- The Secret to Freedom
Fourth graders create a coded message in a quilt. In this art lesson students demonstrate the communication used by the Underground Railroad. Students work in a group to make a quilt with a code in it.
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Voyage to Freedom - What Does It Mean?
Fifth graders investigate the Underground Railroad by creating a quilt. In this U.S. History lesson, 5th graders discuss the history of slavery through a class "word splash" and by reading an Underground Railroad map online. Students...
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Early American Quilt Patterns
Students explore the history and purpose of quilts in early America. They create and name their own unique quilt blocks. Students combine their quilt blocks with other students in the class to create a class quilt.
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"Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" by Deborah Hopkinson
Students create paper quilts of their own using the isometric grid that tessellates the plane or the fraction quilt square.
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Math Quilts
Pupils examine geometric shapes. In this geometric shape lesson plan, students examine how geometric shapes flip, turn, and slide to create a pattern. Pupils analyze the role that quilts played in helping slaves escape to freedom. ...
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Quilting: The Story of the Underground Railroad
Students explore quilting. They read and discuss the book, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. They research African American quilting traditions on the Internet and name three common qualities in quilts. They create a quilt block...
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Historical Events
Fourth graders make predictions about the story Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt based on what they know about slavery. In this predictions lesson plan, 4th graders finish reading the story to see if they were right.
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Quilts: Patterns of Our Past Leading Us Into Our Future
Pupils examine the history of quilt making. They explore the pattern, designs, and color schemes of the quilt. Students read stories about quilting. They create a story to further develop into a story quilt. Additional cross...
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Colonial Living: A Look at the Arts, Crafts, History, and Literature of Early Americans
Sixth graders examine the different aspects of life in Colonial America. At home, they make traditional colonial recipes to share with the class. In groups, they read a book about the purpose and act of quilting and create their own...