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
Stories in Quilts
Have your class analyze the narrative art in quilts. They identify elements in this domestic art and the stories they tell. They define a story quilt, view an example, and analyze the work of Harriet Power. This is a great lesson to...
National Museum of the American Indian
To Honor & Comfort Native Quilting Traditions
"Native American history leaps boldly off the colorful quilts and patchwork designs." Learners discuss Native American identity and symbolism by reading about a variety of Native quilters and their unique art process, and participate in...
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.
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Haring Cooperative Quilt
Students inspect visual arts by examining images on the web. In this art history lesson, students discuss the history of art after researching Keith Haring's work on the Internet. Students analyze the style of...
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Appliqué Bedcover
Students examine the process of creating patriotic American appliqué designs. They research American patriotic appliqué quilts, list American symbols, and design and create their own paper appliqué designs.
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Quilting
Second graders make a quilt. In this cultural diversity lesson, 2nd graders review their knowledge of the Metis people. Students work in groups to create a class quilt that illustrates the lives of these people. Quilt themes include...
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Class Quilt
First graders engage in a instructional activity which promote acceptance of diversity within the classroom through the creation of a class quilt. They evaluate the final product to find commonalities with other students.
Brooklyn Museum
"Workt by Hand": Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts
Just like a painting or the symbols on a flag, quilts can express ideas that reflect a cultural context, space, and time. The class discusses the history of quilt making throughout US history and what different types of quilts mean. They...
K20 LEARN
Diversity Quilt: A Lesson on Culture
After brainstorming the various aspects of cultural identity, class members interview each other, examine video clips, and read stories to discover how these aspects reveal one's cultural identity. Individuals then craft a quilt square...
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...
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Quilting Canada
Students explain the symbols of Canada and their relevance. In this Canada lesson, students read Oh Canada and exchange pen-pal letters with students in Canada. Students create a class quilt with Canadian symbols.
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Quilts of the Underground Railroad
Fifth graders work as a class to create a quilt mapping a route on the underground railroad. Each student create one quilt block using quilt symbols to contribute to the quilt.
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The Art of the Quilt
Students 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...
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Integrated Social Studies and Art Lesson
Fourth graders study the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. In groups, they create coded quilts like those used in the Underground Railroad. They review secret codes used, plan a phrase they would like to use, and paint quilt...
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The Fabric of America
Students examine the theme of independence in American history by participating in a class-wide paper quilt project. Each student creates three quilt squares representing the past, present and future of independence in the United States.
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Unity: Making a Heritage Quilt
Students examine Canandian culture and heritage to further their appreciation. They explore the issue of Canadian unity and participate in a quilt making activity that incorporates symbolism.
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1st Grade - Act. 09: Freedom Quilt
First graders create sections of classroom quilt that be tied together.
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A Leopard Doesn’t Change Its Spots
First, introduce rank badges, which were used during the Qing Dynasty. Then, the class will work together to uncover the meaning of the images they see. They'll examine and research the meaning behind the symbols found on Leopard Rank...
Curated OER
Flags
Students explore flags. In this social studies civics lesson plan students listen to Flags of the Metis by Calvin Racette. Students identify examples of symbols used in the 21st century. Students research information about flags, design...
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Quilting the Past and Present
Students construct a quilt using symbols of the past and present. In this communities instructional activity, students interview an older adult and discuss the history of their community. Students create a quilt.
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Cashton Community Quilters
Fourth graders create and construct a fabric quilt symbolizing the heritage of the Wisconsin community of Cashton. They research Wisconsin historical symbols and use math skills to calculate the number and sizes of the quilt squares. ...
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Keeping Us in Stitches Activity: Appliqué Bedcover Design
Students explore patriotic and classical motifs in applique design and technique. A bedcover or quilt is produced using appropriate symmetry, color,proportion and composition.
Curated OER
Purposeful Act of Kindness
Students define a community need and explain a purposeful act of kindness. In this community kindness lesson, students identify a community need before making a quilt that depicts acts of kindness that can be extended to remedy that need.