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Article #60: Brainchild of English Teacher Turns Learning Inside Out.

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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.






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