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Summary and Objective
Students will understand how pieced quilts are constructed, and that various quilts and quilt blocks were designed to tell stories about the pioneers' lives during westward expansion. The children will closely examine several quilts from the Digital Collection of the American Centuries Website. Then, using the book, "The Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days," by Mary Cobb,(ISBN 1-56294-692-7) students will learn about the many different kinds of quilt blocks created by pioneer families. They will learn that these blocks were named not only for special events and to honor important people, but also as a means of recording everyday aspects of pioneer life. Students will hear about the pioneers' journey westward and understand that the quilt blocks made along the way told the story of their journey.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Before reading the book, "The Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days," discuss children's prior knowledge of quilts, "then and now." What is a quilt? Compare a quilt to a blanket.
Step 2.
Using the quilts in the digital collection, have children observe the stitches, embroidery (on the Crazy Quilt), shapes sewn together to make patterns, and applique on the Peony Quilt. Click on the "Details" to "Look Closer," choosing the zoom function 400x400.
Step 3.
Compare a whole cloth quilt such as the "Children at Play" quilt with a pieced quilt such as the "Rising Star" or "Honeycomb" quilt.
Step 4.
Read and discuss the first chapter of the book which covers the beginning of westward expansion and the role quilts played at this time.
Step 5.
Explain and discuss the fact that the simplest quilt blocks were ususally the most popular for everyday quilts. Children were taught to make nine-patch quilt blocks as soon as they could handle a needle.
Step 6.
Have each child make a simple nine-patch collage quilt block out of magazine pictures using scissors, glue sticks, a 2-inch square template and a copy of a nine-patch quilt block. Use the template to cut squares of color out of magazines. Glue them over the quilt block. Each student will have a unique nine-patch quilt block.
Step 7.
For an expanded "Unit", make other quilt blocks out of paper and simple materials as each aspect of pioneer life is covered in the book and discussed by the class.
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