Little bits of paper

I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to come up with stuff to do with the kids at Co-op in September. I always have grand ideas but they rarely pan out the way I envision them.

We also had to make a run to the library. One run turned into two. No sooner than getting home and getting comfy with my books did the phone ring. It was the library calling me to tell me that I had left my giant wallet there. Apparently when I was paying my fines. We're becoming quite familiar and friendly with our local librarians. It could be because I am single handedly paying for a new wing with all the fines I rack up. I know, I know,, renew them online. I get it.
I wonder if they'll name the new wing after me ?
So I got this great book.

It has all kinds of relevant information and activities. You see, we are studying the Civil war in September. There was one project in the book in which you make a Signal Quilt. I thought this was a novel idea but the instructions were for actual quilting. I sew, I knit, I crochet but I

DO. NOT. QUILT.

Not that I haven't tried and I'd love to be able to do it, but there are RULES when you quilt and I'm not turned that way!
So out with the construction paper and the glue.



When I was researching the signal quilt online, I found so many patterns. So many in fact that I wondered how in the world the slaves knew which ones were signal quilts and which ones were just regular quilts! The bit of lore goes that when the escaped slaves were traveling north on the Underground Railroad they knew they had found a safe house when there was a "Signal Quilt" hanging out back on the line. The one I chose seemed the most self explanitory. You can clearly see that this quilt says "follow the north star".
Pretty neat huh?
The original plan was to have the boys help me but then after I got the little one inch squares cut out I decided I'd rather spoon my own eyes out than have them assist me in this task. Maybe before Sept 4th I'll come up with some other creative way to illustrate this concept and involve the children. Ideas?