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