LITERARY QUILTING

Mrs. Osborne's classes participated in a class quilting project based on a novel they recently read together in class; either Seven Daughters, Seven Sons, by Barbara Cohen +  Bahija Lovejoy, or Nothing But the Truth, by Walter Dean Myers. These novels were enjoyed by students, then discussed and analyzed for theme, tone, conflicts, and lessons learned. The students were able to relate and make connections with characters in each story.

To extend the interpretation of these novels, students were given two 4x4 inch squares and asked to find the right color, word, phrase, image, or quote from the story which they felt best represented the conflict or overall theme of the novel they read. On one square, they created an image significant to the novel; the other held a snippet of noteworthy language from the story. Once the squares were complete, they were assembled together to form a quilt from each class.

The final outcome was astounding! Uniting literature and art through this type of interpretation extended student understanding and analysis. It offered us a chance to look back and relive the novel and appreciate it on a different level. Right now our quilts are hanging in our classroom. After the break, they will be on display in the main lobby and in the media center for all to enjoy. For those who have not yet read Seven Daughters, Seven Sons or Nothing But the Truth, they will come away with a taste of what the novels are all about.....and it just might spark an interest so they'll want to read these great novels, too!