Quilt Presentation in 3rd Grade
The third graders have been studying African American history and the Underground Railroad. They learned that quilts were not 
simply for warmth, but served as a storyteller. Slaves used to make quilts that told how to escape to freedom using the Underground Railroad. We read a book by Bettye Stroud called The Patchwork Path that explained all of the symbols on an Underground Railroad quilt in storybook fashion.
Instead of writing an old-fashioned research paper the students utilized a quilt pattern to show what they learned. The students have been very busy making “quilts” to tell the stories of influential African Americans throughout our history. Come see those hanging near our classroom in the hallway.
The culmination of our African American history unit was a visit by a quilt maker. Mrs. Springmire and her friend, Mrs. Smith, brought several quilts to show and to discuss with the third graders. The picture shows an Underground Railroad quilt. Mrs. Springmire also shared her 911 quilt, featuring American symbols and colors. The students had the opportunity to show stories about themselves on “paper quilts” they made in the classroom. The visit ended with a surprise gift for each 3rd grader— a miniature quilt of their own. Thank you Mrs. Springmire!