Show Way (5th-6th Grade)

Subject Area(s):

• Historical Understanding
• United States History
• Art Connections
• Visual Arts

Grade Level(s):

• 5th-6th Grade

Description:

Students will learn about slavery, the Civil War, and quilt making through a reading of the book "Show Way." Following the reading, students will create their own unique "quilt squares" using construction paper and craft materials - the quilt squares should be a visual reflection of a part of the student's family history. At the end of the class, each quilt square will be taped together and hung on the wall as a complete quilt, reflecting the diversity in family backgrounds of all students in the class.

Goals & Objectives:

Instructional Goal:

• Students will learn about the Civil War, slavery, and quilt making through a related book and in-class activity.
  

Learning Objectives:

• 5th graders will learn about the Civil War, slavery, and quilt making through a reading of the book "Show Way."
•  Students will use what they have learned from the book to create their own "quilt squares" using construction paper and other craft materials; each student's quilt square will be pieced together at the end of class and hung on the wall as a full "quilt."

Motivational Goals:

• Students will gain an interest in the history of quilt making as it pertains to the Civil War and slavery.
• Students will demonstrate an increased level of confidence in their ability to construct unique artistic creations.
  

Materials:

"Show Way" book

Colored construction paper (enough for each student to have several of each color)

Glue and scissors (students can share in pairs of two)

Misc. craft materials (tissue paper, stickers, glitter, markers, etc.)

Procedures:

The librarian will introduce the book "Show Way" and talk briefly about how February is Black History Month.  The librarian will then read the book to the class.

During the next class, the students will spend the entire period creating their own "quilt squares" using construction paper and craft materials.  Each square should reflect something about the student's family history, like in the book.

At the end of the class, all of the quilt squares will be taped together to form a complete class "quilt" - a single piece of art reflecting the diversity of the backgrounds of all the students in the class.  This can be hung on the library wall if there is enough space.

Assessment:

Students will use what they have learned from the book to create their own quilt squares. This activity will be a physical and visual reminder of the uniqueness of quilts, helping students to better understand how they pertain to family history, especially that of slavery and the Civil War. At the end of the class period, students' completed quilt squares will be taped together and hung as a single quilt for other students to see and learn from.

Standards:

• Subject: Visual Arts

National Content Standards (K-12)

• Understands the characteristics and merits of one's own artwork and the artwork of others
• Understands the visual arts in relation to history and cultures
• Subject: Art Connections
• Understands connections among the various art forms and other disciplines
• Subject: Historical Understanding
• Understands and knows how to analyze chronological relationships and patterns
• Understands the historical perspective
• Subject: United States History

Era 5 - Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)

• Understands the course and character of the Civil War and its effects on the American people