Proving a quilt is worth a thousand words

In a lesson that combined history, ecology, art and writing, fourth graders at Lido School created their own quilts in the tradition of the artisans of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Gee’s Bend quilts, which are made out of used clothing, were originally created as unique forms of artistic expression by descendants of slaves—a tradition that has been passed down through six generations of Gee’s Bend artisans.To make their own Gee’s Bend quilts, students brought in old jeans, which they cut up into quilting squares. Working with their classroom teachers, they completed writing assignments based on the art form, relating the special memories that each piece of cloth represented for them. Under the direction of Long Beach Art League members Elizabeth Connolly, Betty Bartow, Denise Bory and Amy Longbart, students used their recycled clothing to piece together their own unique quilt designs. Like the residents of Gee’s Bend, students learned that instead of throwing away old clothes, they could recycle and share them to create something beautiful.This interdisciplinary project was made possible through a grant written by dual-language teacher Mrs. Allen. The purpose of the grant, entitled “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words,” is to help students improve language skills through creative forms of self-expression.