HOW IT WORKS
Story Quilting is an interdisciplinary program
based in literacy, but integrating social studies, math, art, and technology. The
project includes an author study, read-alouds,
analysis of craft, research, hands-on
exploration of geometry, and a “virtual” museum trip.
We begin with a look at the work of Faith Ringgold, with a focus on Tar
Beach. The children reflect on this book and list
“noticings” which include her illustrations and their quilted
borders. After visiting her Web site (www.artincontext.org/artist/ringgold/bio.htm) and
watching a biographical video, they learn how
quilting became the vehicle for her art and
storytelling. Via the Internet, pairs of students
explore museums and view her works and those of other
quilters. Simultaneously, other groups research her and her work through
nonfiction books and learn about the art of
quilting. They become aware of the element of
design and geometry in quilting and use
pattern blocks and/or quilting tiles to create their
own quilt patterns. From a magazine article, they learn how
quilts were used during the time of the
Underground Railroad to give clues that helped
escaping slaves find freedom, and revisit Faith
Ringgold through her book Aunt Harriet’s
Underground Railroad in the Sky. This leads to
discussions of Harriet Tubman and to the
literary comparison of two poems about Tubman
written in different voices. The study culminates with the design in
paper of an ABC quilt honoring Harriet
Tubman that incorporates all they’ve learned about
quilting as a storytelling medium.
THE STUDENTS
Three classes of fourth and fifth graders (20
students in each) participate in this project
during our extended-day Project Read
program. Minimum technical expertise is required
since sites are bookmarked for the students.
Participants meet in the library, where there is
Internet access. The program can easily be
adapted for other grade levels. Since it touches
so many curriculum areas through varied modalities (aural, tactile, visual, etc.), diverse
interests and styles of learning are addressed.
THE STAFF
Helene Espinoza has been teaching for 15 years. She has taught third
grade and TAG and is currently a cluster teacher, teaching research
and library skills as well as Project Read. She
oversees the administration of her school library
and gathers resources for teachers and
students. She is actively involved in the Columbia
University Writers Project and tries to
incorporate this into her work. She has led
school-based parent workshops and has written
curriculum for an environmental science
program.
WHAT YOU NEED
Though this program was done in our library,
which has a bank of four computers connected
to the Internet, it can be done anywhere there
is an Internet hookup. The materials needed
are works by Faith Ringgold, appropriate non-fiction
books for research, quilting tiles or
pattern blocks, and basic art supplies.
OVERALL VALUE
Story Quilting lends itself to easy integration of
literacy with other subject areas. Among the
New York City English/Language Arts
Standards addressed by this project are: reading
twenty-five books; reading and comprehending
at least four books on the same subject, author, or genre; reading and comprehending
informational materials; and responding to
works using interpretive and critical processes.
It provides hands-on activities, allows for
cooperative learning, develops research skills,
widens children’s experiences with technology,
allows them the opportunity to “visit”
museums, and takes them back in time to a
noteworthy period in our history. The culminating
creation of their own designs and quilt patterns
encompasses all of the learning that takes
place during this study.
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