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