Iroquois Clay Pots

Do Now: What is one thing that you did this weekend? Draw a picture and write one sentence.

"I'm at Saturday Club on the monkey bars."

"I got my fencing uniform."

"I went to Saturday Club at Harlem Academy."

"I went to a Mets game and I was in a suite!"

"Over this weekend I went to blank's house and spent the night driving her parents crazy."

This week the 3rd graders continued to learn about the Iroquois Nation in social studies, while the 3rd and 4th graders continued to learn about them in art. 

After sharing some new Iroquois facts that they learned this week (i.e. "Iroquois lived in longhouses") the 3rd and 4th graders looked at some pictures of Iroquois pottery. 

We also took a look at a photograph of a much more rare Iroquois artifact - a clay toy. Most clay toys were of animals.

After studying these photographs and making observations, students were given a handful air-dry clay. They had 2 choices of Iroquois-inspired projects: either clay pots, or clay animal toys. 

The students had a great time with the clay! Today was the first day we got to work with clay, and the 3rd and 4th graders were very enthusiastic while working with this engaging medium. 

See for yourself in this short video:

Over the next few days the pieces will dry and we will have a chance to paint some final details. For now, take a look at these great works in progress...