This year I had the honor of quilting a quilt for the 3rd grade math class at The Kent School in Chestertown, MD.
As part of their Geometry unit, the 3rd grade students explored the different ways that a three inch square can be divided into fractional parts of a whole. Each design had to be unique and it had to fit inside of a nine square block.
They first used paper shapes and a template to experiment on designing the blocks. Their teachers, along with quilter/volunteer, Ellen, helped with the paper designs and with the fabric choices when it came time to pick their fabric for the quilt. Once the students had their blocks to their liking along with their fabric choices, they were sent off with Ellen to sew. After the sewn blocks were returned to class, they then had to decide the quilt layout, sashing, cornerstones, and borders.
Once they had the layout, all the pieces went back to Ellen to sew together. With the quilt top finished, it was sent to me. Since it was for a math class, I thought it would be fun to do shapes in each of the blank squares.
Ellen also made each of the students their own block that was quilted so that they would have something to take home.
Not only did the students learn about math, but they also learned about the quilting process and hopefully a few of them will want to make their own quilts one day!!
And we had a blast!! The students unselfishly made the decision to donate the quilt to the school’s annual fundraiser.