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...
Curated OER
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...
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
Quilting Geometry
Study geometry through the concept of quilt design. High schoolers examine the geometric shapes in various quilts and then create their own quilts using geometric shapes that fit together. In the end, they write a paragraph to describe...
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
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 Haring and create a quilt...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Linoleum Reduction Print Quilts
Learners 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.
Curated OER
Flower Symbolism
Fourth graders identify flowers as symbols in art forms. They focus on the Victorian era and create their own flower design for use in visual art or literary forms.
Curated OER
Folk Art: Bird of Paradise Quilt Top
Students examine a "Bird of Paradise Quilt Top" to discover what the themes and patterns tell about mid-nineteenth-century America. In this American Folk Art lesson, students discuss the possible creator of the quilt and the symbols...
Curated OER
Quilting
Second graders make a quilt. In this cultural diversity lesson plan, 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...
Curated OER
Class Quilt
First graders engage in a lesson 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...
Curated OER
Quilting Canada
Young scholars explain the symbols of Canada and their relevance. In this Canada lesson, students read Oh Canada and exchange pen-pal letters with young scholars in Canada. Students create a class quilt with Canadian symbols.
Curated OER
Counting Quilts
Students view the Bird of Paradise quilt and observe the design-work in the quilt. In this counting quilt lesson, students will count to find repeated pictures in the quilt. Students will represent their families in a quilt square.
Curated OER
Creating a Story Quilt
Students create a quilt to represent an important event in their life. In this visual arts lesson, students research Faith Finggold and her quilts. Students use art supplies to create their own quilt and share the symbolic meaning with...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Freedom Quilt
First graders create pieces of a classroom quilt after they explore a specific national symbol.
Curated OER
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...
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
Quilts Galore
Students explore patterns. They observe a video, "Math Monsters." Students determine the next item in a sequence. Students read books about patterns. They discuss patterns in quilts. Students visit a specified web site and design...