The Lesson

To begin, I would like to thank the organizations that made teaching this lesson possible. This lesson was generously funded by the Howell Education Foundation and the Southeast Elementary School PTO. My thanks to both organizations for their support. I would also like to thank Mr. Gorton (our technology teacher) for helping the fifth graders research information to deepen their understanding of this lesson.

The Enduring Idea or Big Idea in this lesson is community. Students learn that community is a group of people sharing an environment often organized around common values. In communities, things like resources affect the participants, as seen in the art of Gee's Bend. Yet, this interdisciplinary lesson teaches lots more. Students use math to create a pattern, technology to research information, they learn how to piece material together, sew a seam and quilt. It also teaches students about the traditional art of quilting, the history of West African textiles and the art of Gee's Bend.

Mixing art education with content areas brings meaning and value to learning. This interdisciplinary approach of engaging students in creative expression along with content areas helps students construct knowledge and develop real-life skills that will last a lifetime. I hope you will be able to see examples of this as you read our blog.

National Content Standards met: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Michigan Visual Arts Elementary Content Standards and Benchmarks met:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, .35
4.1, 4.2, 4.3
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4

I hope you enjoy the work our Southeast fifth graders did. They would love to read your comments, so be sure to post a word or two.

Thank you, Mrs. Guetschow