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
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...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Art -- The Secret to Freedom
Fourth graders create a coded message in a quilt. In this art activity students demonstrate the communication used by the Underground Railroad. Students work in a group to make a quilt with a code in it.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
"Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" by Deborah Hopkinson
Pupils 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
Students examine geometric shapes. In this geometric shape lesson plan, students examine how geometric shapes flip, turn, and slide to create a pattern. Students 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...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
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...
Read Works
Climax of a Story
Demonstrate how to track the elements of plot in a story. After watching you mark down the rising action, problem, climax, falling action, and resolution for Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth, pupils complete a graphic organizer for Sweet...
Museum of Tolerance
Oral History Activity
Oral history has brought a multitude of lessons, stories, and factoids to our current knowledge of the past. Let us continue to use oral history traditions through a lesson that encourages pupils to discover and appreciate...
Curated OER
Reverse Applique with No Brakez
Learners view a demonstation of how to complete the reverse applique. Using a kit, they have their fabric already chosen and practice using this technique on their quilts. They share their creations with the class and receive...
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
Fourth graders participate in a literature circle after reading a book about the Underground Railroad. They discuss their selected book with their literature circle group, and complete a handout about their role in the circle. Students...
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Our Special Keepsake
Third graders observe the procedure for writing a single paragraph. They listen to a story and write a single paragraph response including a topic sentence, with supporting sentences.
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Patterns: A Stitch in Time
Students recognize shapes, designs and numbers that form patterns. Using their surroundings, they identify common patterns. They create their own patterns in various software programs and share them with the class.
Curated OER
Acceptance Through Patchwork
Students are asked to look at differences in people and accept those differences but to examine that people are more alike than different. The instructional activity has the central focus of investigating diversity.
Curated OER
Stitching Our Way Through Time to Learn About Nebraska Animals
Pupils study about animals that have lived in Nebraska in the past, and animals that currently live in Nebraska. They examine how animal life changed since the early beginnings and what has caused these changes?
Curated OER
Silent Signals
Third graders discuss the frustrations of navigating the Underground Railroad and list the symbols and signs used to communicate on the Underground Railroad.
![National September 11 Memorial & Museum: The Freedom Quilt [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "National September 11 Memorial & Museum: The Freedom Quilt [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
9/11 Memorial & Museum
National September 11 Memorial & Museum: The Freedom Quilt [Pdf]
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum has partnered with the New York City Department of Education and the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education to develop a robust set of 9/11 lessons for K-12 classrooms. Each lesson...