![FREEDOM QUILTS – Geometry, Pattern, Controversy](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/lessonPlans/freedom-quilts-geometry-pattern-controversy/77e11205df0a59a468b0bfa86c06955e-cover.png)
Supplies:
- Crayola Marker & Watercolour Paper - 22.9 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12")
- Crayola Washable Glue Sticks
- Crayola Watercolour Paints
- Crayola Paint Brushes
- Crayola Fine Line Markers
- Crayola Crayons
- Crayola Scissors
- Photographs of Elders in Your Life
- Access to a Photocopier
- Watercontainers
- Paper Towels
Steps:
1
![Step 1](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/c37b72bf562da120fdea31e02b66f473-stepSml.png)
- Brainstorm words and images connected to the elders in your life.
- Reflect on what you have learned from the elders in your life.
- In your mind's eye picture a life experience you have had with a special grandparent, mentor, or teacher, who you have learned from.
- How did you feel?
- What colours would express your feelings?
2
![Step 2](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/a74b0bdcff966141588e342e5ba66310-stepSml.png)
- Use a mind map to draw and write about your shared experiences with the elders (e.g., grandparents, mentors, teachers) in your life.
3
![Step 3](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/89c2d2aaec1821a46119310804e03ca9-stepSml.png)
- Use a paint brush to cover a piece of watercolour paper in clear water.
4
![Step 4](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/7feaf377cdb7de6b713c33a34e6361b9-stepSml.png)
- Close your eyes and think about the experiences you have had with the elders in your life.
- Remember stories you have been told about your ancestors, great grandparents, and grandparents. What were their lives like? What colours best represent your feelings toward the elders in your life?
- Choose watercolours to add to your paper already painted with clear water.
- Dip your brush into water first, then add paint to it, allowing the colours to bleed into each other, and move with the water.
- Cover the entire paper in colour.
- Set the paper aside to dry.
5
![Step 5](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/5883d4cf1eb1a90984d484383bfdc83d-stepSml.png)
- Find photographs of elders who are part of your life.
- Photocopy the photographs and cut out the images of the elders (e.g., grandparents, great grandparents) in your life.
6
![Step 6](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/bf34fcf52796c03c289e04191913f94f-stepSml.png)
- Use a glue stick to glue the images of the elders onto your dried watercolour painting.
- Glue the larger photographs in the foreground, the medium sized photographs in the middle ground, and the smallest photographs in the background.
7
![Step 7](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/94ebf39ba777c3753db4c10ea0cd3f49-stepSml.png)
- Use a fine line black marker to write about the life experiences, feelings, and stories connected to each elder.
- Write around each photograph, creating a frame of words.
8
![Step 8](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/530eceddb8dfbbf2af8080da901f0a96-stepSml.png)
- Use crayons to emphasize the colour on each photograph.
- Use the crayons to draw special life experiences you have shared with each of the elders in your life.
9
![Step 9](https://static.crayola.ca/uploads/f72ae95b1b8ac8f392f3555c41aa501b-stepSml.png)
- View your work with fresh eyes.
- Reflect on what you have learned from the elders in your life.
- Share your special experiences and memories of the elders who are part of your life with your classmates.
Subjects:
Language Arts,
Visual Arts,
First Nations, Metis, Inuit
Grades:
Grade 3,
Grade 4,
Grade 5,
Grade 6,
Grade 7,
Grade 8