This week we started using Five in a Row. I have used this unit study approach off and on for years but never as the author intended. Reading the same book five days in a row doesn't work really well for my kids. so, I tried something different this time. We read our book of the week: The Rag Coat.
Then, we did a little "quilt math" by playing with pattern blocks and making our own quilt patterns. We even got out one of our handmade quilts (made by my grandmother for Grace) and matched some shapes.
Baby Joseph even conked out on the cozy quilt a little later in the day:
The kids loved The Rag Coat and were really fascinated by the memories and emotions that each patch on Minna's colorful coat evoked in both Minna and then later, her friends. The kids wanted to read more stories like this one. So, we read other books about quilts: The Quilt Story, illustrated by Tomie de Paola, and The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy. We had so much fun with our study of quilts and how closely they intertwine family history and memories.
So, I decided that we are going to continue down this little rabbit trail and next week we will read Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. One of the suggested activities in FIAR for this lesson is to make your own quilt...Hmmm, I am not much of a seamstress. What to do? This is when the vast blogosphere can turn out to be an unexpected blessing!
I was over at Tator Tots and Ladybug Love a few weeks ago and Maria posted about a way to help the poor. I remembered that last spring she was making these lovely no-sew fleece blankets. She kindly emailed me very specific directions (thank goodness!) and we plan on making some this coming week. We'll be heading over to the fabric store and choosing some fun quilt-like patterned fabrics to mimic a quilt. And if autumn ever comes to North Texas, these blankets will be perfect to curl up under on cool, crisp fall days and read some more lovely books!
Now, the next hurdle is to make it to the fabric store with 6 kids and help them choose their fabric for the blankets! Scary, huh? :)
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