Little Quilters #1

African-based Gullah Quilt, Song, & Language

First- and second-graders enjoyed the 2025-2026 After-School Workshops, which are a mixture of *SoBA and STEAMSS* programs adapted for specific age groups and even mixed-aged groups.

The Fall 2025 Quilt Series Part 1 began Tuesday, October 7th, with the Althea Augustine

Technology Center, Inc. (Althea’s) at St. Monica’s. The children had printed sheets of

the lyrics and loudly sang the African-based Gullah song, Kumbaya, along with the

video and audio recording coming from the wide-screen computer monitor in the room.

The PowerPoint displayed a historical and visual summary of the African American Gullah women quilters who are descendants of slaves and still occupy Gee’s Bend, Alabama. These 1st and 2nd graders were engaged and had a variety of questions about these women. The kids were particularly excited and had fun learning and mimicking the audio of the Gullah language greetings that were embedded in the PowerPoint.

The literacy component was the reading of several poems from the book ‘Stitchin’ and Pullin’, by Patricia McKissack, which is about a baby girl growing up around Gullah quilters.

Then there was the activity, thanks to all the preparation from Ms. Linda, who is somewhat of a master quilter herself. She had prepared paper and fabric cutouts of various geometric shapes and demonstrated how to use her handmade templates to make a practice paper quilt

block as well as design a fabric one.

Next, in Part 2, the children will learn more about math, tessellations (check out your floor or wall tiles), and quilting.

Althea’s @ St. Monica’s also has another after-school series on Thursdays.

Check this blog often to see what has passed and what is coming up next!