Friday, February 23, 2018

4th Grade Clay Boys

This year my grade school chose a theme of "Oh the Places You'll Go". For Family Literacy Night in the fall, each grade had a different country to learn about- the students gave reports, performed dances, and just generally showed what they knew in a fun way. 4th grade chose Russia so I set about trying to design a lesson connected to Russia. I was first researching Russian art and getting a lot of depressing works but then a friend reminded me that she always looks at children's books- duh! I was able to request a few folktales from our library network and the one that gave me the best idea was Clay Boy, a folk tale retold by Mirra Ginsburg.
In the story, an old couple fashion themselves a little boy out of clay and he comes to life!- this reminded us of the Little Gingerbread Man. The big difference is that the clay boy eats EVERYTHING and everyone with a goat saving the day at the end.

I recently posted the lesson on the smARTteacher so feel free to check it out!

2 sessions; 40 minutes per session

1. SWBAT understand what a folktale is.
2. SWBAT create a simple figure out of clay
3. SWBAT add details to their projects to personalize

1. red earthenware clay
2. clay tools
3. fabric scraps
4. scissors
5. glue (students used elmer's and I used hot glue when needed)
6. yarn

Need these materials? Visit Blick!

1. Introduction
-The teacher will explain that folktales are stories passed down through generations
-Clay Boy is based off of a Russian folktale
2. Read Clay Boy or show video
-discuss: does the story remind you of anything else? Some will say it reminds them of the little gingerbread man
3. Work with clay
-demonstrate forming clay into a figure starting with a fat cylinder or rectangular shape
-cut clit to free legs and arms
-pinch to form appendages and shape head
-pose figure into sitting or standing
4. Let clay dry and fire in kiln
5. Finish sculptures
-students cut fabric scraps and form into clothing
-glue in place

1. Clay Boy by Mirra Ginsburg
2. Youtube video of Clay Boy reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ7Fuy-wnOU

THE STANDARDS

Visual Arts Standard 1:
Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes


[K-4] Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories
[K-4] Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner
[K-4] Students know the differences between materials, techniques, and processes

Visual Arts Standard 2:
Using knowledge of structures and functions


[K-4] Students know the differences among visual characteristics and purposes of art in order to convey ideas

Visual Arts Standard 6:
Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines


[K-4] Students identify connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum

THE FEATURES
Form, Texture

Ceramics

Multicultural Studies

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