Pioneer Still Life

Third grade art takes on a new challenge: the still life! The pioneer still life builds upon observational drawing skills from years prior. Students learn to observe and draw multiple objects, paying close attention to the relationships between each object on the page. For instance, you can see which objects are in front, because they overlap the object behind it. Pioneer objects were carefully chosen as a theme for each still life. This enables the viewer to create their own story behind the artwork. 

Ceramic Pioneer Day Mugs

The ceramic project for third grade ties in with their pioneer studies. Building upon their ceramic skills, students learned how to construct a mug using slab-building techniques. Students attempted wedging to remove air bubbles and then rolled slabs. I pre-cut circular and rectangular templates for the students to use and cut pieces out of. To personalize mugs, third graders applied texture through many different ways including: stamping, drawing into clay, and rolling textured plastic into clay. Some students even chose to use their given pioneer name to distinguish their mugs. Using the score, slip, and welding technique, students shaped their slabs into a mug. No mug would be complete without a handle. Students chose to use one or two handles, and attached them by scoring, slipping, and welding. And the best part of these mugs? You can drink out of them!* Cheers!

*Disclaimer: Not dishwasher safe.