Quilts and Quiltmakers: A Geometry Excursion for Grades 4–5

In this Excursion, students consider quilts that are primarily geometric, quilts that tell stories or communicate about issues, and quilts that combine geometric elements with stories. They become familiar with Harriet Powers, an African American quiltmaker born enslaved, and Faith Ringgold, a contemporary African American artist whose Tar Beach quilt inspired a children’s book. Students do an activity called Quick Images in order to visualize how different rotations and juxtapositions of the same unit can make different patterns. They design quilts on paper that combine geometric and story elements. The Excursion ends with an exhibit or presentation of students’ work.

Story quilt segment

This Excursion involves 6 activities, to be done in sequence, and includes links to reproducible resources and a Slide Deck.

 

Student participation was significantly improved. We have students who don’t participate, specifically in math. And those kids had their hand up every time. They were super engaged.”