Creating a quilt block is a great way to combine math, history, literature and art into one fun project.

• 1.

  Quilting dates back to colonial times. The process of making quilts involves math and geometry. A quilt block is a square made of 16 smaller squares. Each small square consists of two triangles. Symmetry is an important part of quilt making because the designs demonstrate different kinds of symmetry.

• 2.

  Traditional quilt blocks have named patterns, like: Square Deal, Windblown Square, Pieced Star and Ribbons. Take a look at these traditional patterns in a book or on the internet.

• 3.

  Choose a quilt block pattern that you would like to make and observe its symmetry.

• 4.

  Measure a piece of construction paper with a ruler and Crayola Color Sticks into an 8 in. x 8 in. (20.3 cm x 20.3 cm) square. Then measure and draw a grid of 16 2 in. (5.1 cm) squares.

• 5.

  Draw additional lines to split the 2 in. (5.1 cm) squares into triangles following the quilt block pattern you chose.

• 6.

  Use Color Sticks to color in the quilt block. Use different techniques while coloring like pressure variation to lighten and darken colors; cross-hatching with closely spaced lines; and layering colors to create different hues. Color Sticks are also great for broad strokes, shadows and highlights.

• 7.

  When your quilt block is complete, finish it by mounting it onto another piece of construction paper in a contrasting color. Attach the quilt block to the construction paper with a Crayola Glue Stick.

Standards

• Students research the history of quilts in American culture.
• Students understand symmetry and can identify different kinds of symmetry.
• Students understand and apply the basic and advanced properties of the concepts of measurement.
• Students research and identify quilt block patterns by their traditional names.

Adaptations

• Students read literature related to quilts. Some suggestions are: The Log Cabin Quilt, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, The Keeping Quilt, Pieces, A Year in Poems and Quilts.
• Students define geometric terms: perpendicular, congruent, symmetrical, parallel, angles and right angles.
• Students research the history of quilts in American culture. Explore different time periods from Amish, colonial, slavery, to the Revolutionary and Civil wars.
• Students research African American quilt history before and after emancipation.
• Assessment: Students demonstrate ability to accurately measure and draw a quilt block. Students use art techniques like pressure variation, cross-hatching, and color layering in their artwork.