| An English teacher at Starr's Mill High is | | | | Thibadeau is that she has combined the |
| turning learning inside out by asking the | | | | reading, writing and kinesthetic nature of |
| students to create a quilt block portraying | | | | learning.Gwen came up with the idea of the |
| either analysis of characters, explaining | | | | quilting project while in the bath tub - |
| themes or the author's message, ideas, | | | | pondering ways to get a grant through the |
| beliefs or style.The students are asked to | | | | Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching |
| work in groups to produce the quilt block. | | | | Tolerance grant.Another spin off is that the |
| They have to create the design, explore | | | | quilts will be sold at a silent auction. |
| available sources and styles of fabric and | | | | There will be approx. 10 quilts raising in |
| materials. The blocks are then put together | | | | the order or $3000 - $4000. The students have |
| by the teacher, Gwen Thibadeau."Fortunately, | | | | nominated several charities who they believe |
| most of the students took home economics in | | | | are deserving of the money raised.Gwen |
| middle school and learned how to sew there. I | | | | Thibadeau is truly a brilliant teacher. She |
| gave them a quick refresher course on sewing | | | | has combined the learning skills of |
| and using the sewing machines, they ran with | | | | academically bright students and the |
| it," says Thibadeau.Two of the books which | | | | artistically inclined students. She has |
| have been represented by quilts so far this | | | | incorporated the encouragement of community |
| year are "Fahrenheit 451" and "To Kill A | | | | spirit and the giving to the less fortunate. |
| Mockingbird". Another quilt being worked on | | | | She has also promoted the utilization of idle |
| at the moment is based on the book "Romeo and | | | | resources.Maybe other teachers may |
| Juliet".The students love creating the quilts | | | | incorporate these skills into their |
| and actually beg to start another one.There | | | | curriculum be it Science, Maths, History or |
| are several spin-offs to this type of | | | | Geography. The ideas are boundless.Sigrid |
| learning. Generally English is a subject | | | | Gangsoy is passionate about quilting. Her |
| where the high achieving, analytical students | | | | background is in interior design and has a |
| who are good at reading and writing excel. | | | | love of all the arts and crafts but |
| This type of project, with a hands-on style, | | | | particularly quilting. She believes that as |
| allow students who are kinesthetically | | | | a craftsperson you develop an appreciation |
| inclined to "shine".The brilliance of Gwen | | | | for all any good design. |