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Open House

Open House packages elements of different Thinkfinity resources into a single, multifaceted afterschool or classroom project.

Objectives

  • Draw and describe designs using geometric and fractional terms.
  • Study quilts as records of family history and create paper quilts that tell the story of family events.
  • Build reading skills by discussing books with peers and family.

Overview

This multidisciplinary project teaches math and history concepts through quilt making and through works of children's literature that evoke themes of home and family. Designed for elementary school-age children, this project culminates with a family story time and art exhibit.

 

Step 1: Getting Started

Share the story "Counting on Frank," by Rod Clement, a funny, engaging tale of a boy and his dog who make surprising calculations about their world, such as how many humpback whales would fit in their house. After reading the story, break into small groups and try to figure out what size the boy's house must be if it can fit 10 humpback whales. The "Getting the Facts" worksheet might help in the calculations.

View resource: Estimating Volume by Counting on Frank by Illuminations

 

Step 2: Find Out More

Start with another read-aloud story, such as "The Seasons Sewn" by Ann Whitford Paul. As described in this lesson and using this template, ask everyone in the group to design a quilt block using simple geometric shapes. Then arrange the group into teams of two. Sitting back to back, one child will describe his or her design, while the other tries to draw it based upon the description.

View resource: Paper Quilts: Describing Design by Illuminations

 

Step 3: Piece It Together

Read aloud "The Patchwork Quilt" by Valerie Flournoy, and show the group different examples of quilts. Pulling discussion questions from this resource, explore the way that quilts document family events differently than photographs and video. Then ask the group to create collaborative or individual quilts that illustrate a family event or tradition, using whatever materials are at hand.

View resource: Family Record Quilts by EDSITEment

 

Step 4: Share What’s Learned

To celebrate and share all that the group has learned, invite families to a special story hour. Display finished quilits and model reading strategies for parents as you share a heartwarming story, "The Woman Who Named Things," by Cynthia Rylant.

View resource: Read-Aloud Family Event by Thinkfinity Literacy Network

 
 

Age: Elementary

Themes: Math, history, home and family

Duration: 2 weeks

 
  • Materials Needed
  • Computer with Internet access
  • Paper and markers/crayons
  • Desirable: Poster board, construction paper, glue, fabric, etc.
 
  • Standards

Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
• Measurement 3-5 1: Understand that measurements are approximations and how differences in units affect precision.
• Measurement 3-5 2: Develop strategies for estimating the perimeters, areas and volumes of irregular shapes.
• Geometry 3-5 2: Identify, compare and analyze attributes of two- and three-dimensional shapes and develop vocabulary to describe the attributes.
• Number & Operations 3-5 1: Develop understanding of fractions as parts of unit wholes, as parts of a collection, as locations on number lines and as divisions of whole numbers.
• Number & Operations 3-5 2: Recognize and generate equivalent forms of commonly used fractions, decimals and percents.


National Standards for Arts Education
• Visual Arts 4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures


National Council for the Social Studies
• Standard 1: Culture and cultural diversity
• Standard 4: Individual development and identity