One of Mrs. Hatfield's favorite projects each year is the Tar Beach story quilt project. "They always turn out so amazing," she says.

Third-grade students begin by reading Tar Beach by artist and author Faith Ringgold. They explore her unique storytelling style, which blends written narratives with vibrant artwork on handmade quilts. Inspired by her work, students then create their own mixed-media story quilts.

For their project, students wrote about an important or exciting memory from their lives. They bring their stories to life by illustrating their memories and enhancing them with watercolor paint. The result is a stunning collection of personal and meaningful artworks, showcasing both their creativity and storytelling skills.

This project not only encourages artistic expression but also helps students connect their own experiences to literature and visual art in a meaningful way.