This lesson was submitted in November 2003 for publication in a booklet to be distributed to Missouri Show-Me CHARACTERplus Project Schools in a conference � �Character Education Leads to Healthy Schools and Communities.� The conference will was held in many locations statewide. I personally presented the lesson in a roundtable discussion at the conference that was held in Springfield on January 30.
Learner Performance: Students will be able to:
Analyze the Constitution as the fundamental law of our nation that contains guiding principles of:
A. common good B. majority rule C. rights
Introduction:
1. Read The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy
2. Discuss cooperation in the story.
3. Ask the class if they would like to make a quilt.
4. Briefly discuss the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
5. Introduce the Classroom Quilt of Rights:
a. The class will brainstorm in cooperative groups suggestions for rights students should have at school. (objective C)
b. The class will discuss which of these rights are for the common good of the class. (objective A)
c. The class will vote on the ones that are for the common good of the class. (objective B)
Making the Quilt:
Option 1: Use construction paper and bulletin board paper.
Option 2: Use material and have the quilt sewn together.
Option 3: Use computers (usually the children�s choice).
6. Have each student select 5 rights that were voted on as the most important to him/her.
7. Have students set their right hand in an appropriate (tempera?) red or blue paint (half of students use each color) and make a hand imprint on a 9� by 12� piece of paper or material. Set aside to dry. Have the students write with a marker (white?) one of the chosen rights on each of the finger imprints. Each student should sign his/her name on the palm of his/her imprint.
8. Assemble each student�s print into a quilt design.
9. Put a suitable border around the quilt.
10. Display the finished quilt, and discuss the warm fuzzy feelings of quilts and rights of individuals.
Computer option: Find a palm of a hand for clip art. Use word art (Microsoft Word) to insert the chosen rights on each finger. Insert a picture of the student on the palm of the hand. Soften the edges of the picture to blend with the hand.
