I believe interdisciplinary teaching makes learning come to life for kids. How do you combine interdisciplinary teaching, service learning and sewing all in one project? It can be done with a project called Patchwork of Kindness; students participate in a service project that involves quilting. The "Patchwork of Kindness" project utilizes interdisciplinary learning and each activity is used as a thread to tie together the subject areas of English, FACS, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The students cut the fabric squares for the quilts from donated used jeans in their Math classes. They study the history of denim in their Science classes. In Social Studies class they study the history of quilts especially the use of quilts as signals to help slaves escape during the days of the Underground Railroad. Students also have the opportunity to bring in their own family quilts to show and talk about. The English classes write Haiku poetry about quilts, make posters to advertise the project, read and discuss stories about quilting and making contributions to society. In FACS classes the students study what it means to give of themselves and then sew the quilts together. They also prepare food and serve parents and the community at a Quilt Social. The culminating event is the Quilt Social with music playing, a PowerPoint presentation explaining the project, and students drawing for the winners of the quilts. Students nominate and vote on the charities to which they would like to donate the proceeds raised from the quilt raffle. Representatives from the charitable organizations come to school and the students present the checks to the selected organizations. The representatives from these organizations then share with the students how they will use the money. Through discussion and writing, the students then reflect on the kindness experience. The Patchwork of Kindness project is a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn and give of themselves!

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The culminating project for the students is raffling off the patchwork quilts the students make and donating the money from the raffle ticket sales to local chcaritable organizations. This is great for the students because they become aware of the various charities in the community. Some of the students may need to use the services provided by these charities someday and they are now more aware of the available resources for them and their family. It also creates good will between the school and the community. Each year five charities are selected to receive between $300.00-$500.00 each depending on how many tickets the students sell that year. Total distribution of money over the last five years has been over $10,000.

The program also helps address the issue in our society of helping others. The students are made aware of local charitable organizations and how they can help. It is really a wonderful way for students to feel they have made a difference. According to Americas Promise-The Alliance for Youth, “Most teens feel it is important for people their age to get involved in the community.” According to research, teens are nearly four times more likely to volunteer if they are asked. More kids would get involved if their teachers, coaches, friends, and family members made them aware of the possibilities. Volunteering makes them feel good about themselves. They are proud of their work and receive recognition from parents, teachers, peers, charities and the community. This project also allows them to have fun and socialize with fellow students as they work.

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1. I helped with the Patchwork of Kindness project by…
2. What I learned from this experience was…
3. Helping others in our community made me feel…
4. I would like to go on to help others by…

The Patchwork of Kindness program follows the National Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences in the area of 1.0 Career and Community Connections. The program integrates multiple roles and responsibilities in family, career, and community roles and responsibilities. It also analyzes the reciprocal impact of individuals and family participation in community activities. Through the participation in the entire program students are made aware of the impact they have on individuals and groups in the community.

The unit is started in November and completed in December. It is a perfect time of the year to teach students to think of others and to give of their time and talents. During the Quilt Social holiday music is playing and students are sharing what they did to help with the project to members of the community, school board members, school administrators, and their parents. The mayor of our city is present. He shares his thoughts and thanks the students for their hard work and the money they give to the charities. Local and state political representatives are invited to attend. If they are not able to come they are invited to send a letter to be read thanking the students for their contributions to the community. The culmination of the project is the Quilt Social and the distribution of the checks to the charitable organizations. The students chose five local charities to which they donate the quilt raffle money. A representative from each charity explains how the money is used. The students hear first hand from representatives of the charities. I really believe the students feel in their heart the good they have just done for others. Many are very touched and moved by the presentation of the checks to the charities. I personally am moved to tears each year to see the good that a group of students can do when given the proper direction and guidance. A news paper reporter is present to interview students and publish an article in the local newspaper after the event it done. The project increases visibility, recognition, appreciation and support of the FACS profession.

The students reflect on the Patchwork of Kindness project after everything is done including the distribution of the checks to the charities. The project often gives students confidence to go out on their own and make a difference with their own project. An example of this is when two girls, Melissa and Kaia, decided to make tie blankets after being involved with the Patchwork of Kindness project. The girls solicited donations from family, friends and local businesses. They were able to raise $1,088.00 to cover the cost of making 49 blankets to be given to children in a hospital in Minneapolis. They called their project Wrapping Children With Hope. Melissa said, “the Patchwork of Kindness project gave her the confidence to do something on her own.” She remembered the joy and gratefulness of the individuals when the checks were presented to them. She also said “it was a lot of work but was rewarding because she knew it would help others.” Kaia said “completing projects such as these gives life more meaning and gives her more appreciation for life. One or two people can make a difference. The Patchwork of Kindness project was the first step for me. Once you start you crave to do more. It is great for the people receiving but it changes yourself!”

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Overview of Lesson

Participants:
The lesson is appropriate for any middle school and/or high school students.

Time Frame:
Approximately two weeks of class time is required for this unit. A suggestion is to complete this project prior to parent-teacher conferences, a musical event, etc. and have the students display their quilts at the event. Students at the event could sell additional raffle tickets.

Objectives:
• Students will participate in a service project.
• Students will become aware of local charitable organizations.
• Students will learn the importance of cooperation and teamwork.

Lessons/Activities:
FACS or English — Read and discuss stories about quilting and giving of
themselves to others. (The introduction of the Patchwork of Kindness unit can be done in either of these classes.)

FACS — Sewing techniques, cooking, service learning, design their own quilt
(including their life story in a quilt).

Social Studies — History of American quilting, family history, “quilt show and tell” and how quilts were used as codes in the Underground Railroad.

Math — Measuring, creating a sewing template, and cutting tessellations to design invitations.

Science — History of denim, selection of charities for donations of money.

English —Create advertising, a PowerPoint presentation, and present at the Quilt Social.

The entire curriculum has been published through Learning ZoneXpress and can be purchased for $39.95. Item number 1177.

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