1. The student will be able to recognize the works of Faith Ringold.
2. TSWBAT  remember several facts about Faith Ringgold
3. TSWBAT  create his/her own story pillow.

One computer (18 students average per class) Class meets 40 minutes per week.

1. The teacher will introduce the artist Faith Ringgold.  She will show the students a print of Ringgold’s Tar Beach story quilt.
2. The teacher will bring out a variety of pieces of cloth and introduce textiles.  She will lead the students on a compare/contrast painting on cloth to painting on paper discussion.
3.   Students will watch a short video about the artist talking about her art and watch the artist working on one of her quilts. 
4. The teacher will introduce and read the book, Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold.  She will allow the print of the quilt to circulate while she reads the story so that the children can see the details.
5. The teacher will ask the students what they would like to know about Faith Ringgold.  They will write their question in their art journals.
6. The students will work together to organize their finished buildings into a cohesive new town.  Problem solving and teamwork will be crucial.

While at the Computer:

1. The teacher will ask volunteers to ask their questions aloud.  While projecting the official Faith Ringgold website http://www.faithringgold.com on the white board, she will open the FAQ page and see if the questions are answered, while the students are watching.  If a question is not answered, and it is a legitimate question (take the time to talk about the difference between questions that should and should not be asked), then the teacher can email the artist. 
2. She will walk the children around the website and tell them that once they’ve finished their pillows, they can explore the website themselves.

After the Computer:

1. The teacher will announce that class is going to make story pillows like Faith Ringgold’s story quilts.  Like the character in Tar Beach, the children are challenged to draw themselves flying over a place that they would like to own. 
2. The teacher will demonstrate how to draw a body mass in flying position.  She will also brainstorm with them some different places that they may like to fly over and own.
3. The teacher will distribute white paper and pencils and allow the students to practice drawing their pictures and writing their stories.
4. The teacher will distribute a 6 in. square of white cloth to each student.  The student will redraw their picture on the white cloth with a pencil. The student will also rewrite their story with a pencil around the picture.
5.   The teacher will demonstrate how to paint the picture on the cloth with acrylic paint, and how to trace the words with an ultra-fine Sharpie marker.
6. The student will paint his/her white cloth and put on drying rack to dry with the pre-cut 6 in. square that they pick to be the back of their pillow.
7. The teacher will sew together pillows with a sewing machine, leaving a small hole for stuffing.
8. The students will turn their pillows right side out and stuff them.
9. The teacher will sew the stuffing hole in the pillow.
10. The class will review Faith Ringgold and her story quilts through a discussion.  They will also check the email for responses.

Print of “Tar Beach Story Quilt”, Tar Beach, Computer with internet and email

©2002 Winthrop University. All rights reserved. 
Last updated on February 15, 2002.
Contact Lisa Harris with comments.