| Sydney, Australia, April 30, 2006 | | | | This type of project, with a hands-on style, |
| | | | allow students who are kinesthetically |
| An English teacher at Starr's Mill High is | | | | inclined to "shine". |
| turning learning inside out by asking the | | | | |
| students to create a quilt block portraying | | | | The brilliance of Gwen Thibadeau is that she |
| either analysis of characters, explaining | | | | has combined the reading, writing and |
| themes or the author's message, ideas, | | | | kinesthetic nature of learning. |
| beliefs or style. | | | | |
| | | | Gwen came up with the idea of the quilting |
| The students are asked to work in groups to | | | | project while in the bath tub - pondering |
| produce the quilt block. They have to create | | | | ways to get a grant through the Southern |
| the design, explore available sources and | | | | Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance |
| styles of fabric and materials. The blocks | | | | grant. |
| are then put together by the teacher, Gwen | | | | |
| Thibadeau. | | | | Another spin off is that the quilts will be |
| | | | sold at a silent auction. There will be |
| "Fortunately, most of the students took home | | | | approx. 10 quilts raising in the order or |
| economics in middle school and learned how to | | | | $3000 - $4000. The students have nominated |
| sew there. I gave them a quick refresher | | | | several charities who they believe are |
| course on sewing and using the sewing | | | | deserving of the money raised. |
| machines, they ran with it," says Thibadeau. | | | | |
| | | | Gwen Thibadeau is truly a brilliant teacher. |
| Two of the books which have been represented | | | | She has combined the learning skills of |
| by quilts so far this year are "Fahrenheit | | | | academically bright students and the |
| 451" and "To Kill A Mockingbird". Another | | | | artistically inclined students. She has |
| quilt being worked on at the moment is based | | | | incorporated the encouragement of community |
| on the book "Romeo and Juliet". | | | | spirit and the giving to the less fortunate. |
| | | | She has also promoted the utilization of idle |
| The students love creating the quilts and | | | | resources. |
| actually beg to start another one. | | | | |
| | | | Maybe other teachers may incorporate these |
| There are several spin-offs to this type of | | | | skills into their curriculum be it Science, |
| learning. Generally English is a subject | | | | Maths, History or Geography. The ideas are |
| where the high achieving, analytical students | | | | boundless. |
| who are good at reading and writing excel. | | | | |