Earthenware Explortions: A STEAM Unit Overview

Last summer I applied for and won a License for Learning Grant. The STEAM Lab was a fine art classroom before, so it still has a kiln. Last year I did projects with my kindergarten and fifth grade classes.  My goal for the year was to be sure that all my classes got to participate in a ceramics project. Thanks to the grant funds each of my 18 classes got to do a ceramics project related to math/science concepts taught in the regular classroom.

Here is an overview of the projects that we did:

Kindergarten: Ladybugs (insects)
First Grade: Shape bowls (geometry)
Second Grade: Footprint Necklaces (measurement)
Third Grade: Bells (sound energy)
Fourth Grade: Owls (heat energy)
Fifth Grade: MC Escher hot plates (area)

I consulted with an art teacher I worked with at summer camp who talked me through the ordering process. Each student started with clay and formed their project. We waited for the pieces to dry and did a bisque fire.

This was the first time I attempted using glaze. I was nervous, but it went well.

I managed to keep everything organized. This cart was my organizational crutch. I sorted the projects by class/grade. That being said, we *might* have finished the fourth and fifth grade projects on the last full day of school, but it all got done!

Grades 1-5 took pictures and posted about their individual projects using Padlet. This was a great way for me to remind students to focus on the classroom math/science content.

Created with Padlet

I plan to post about each of the projects over the next week or so. This was one of my very favorite projects. I'm already working on finding funding to continue next year.

Fifth Grade Owls

 Every year I end up wrapping up a project the last days of school. Every year I swear I won't do it again. This year was no different!

My fifth graders won't have STEAM classes next year, so I decided to end with a ceramics project. After consulting Pinterest, I decided on this one. We followed the tutorial.

Days later, I loaded the owls in the kiln. It was my first time running the kiln without help.

Thankfully, all came out okay! The original plan  had been to glaze and refire. Due to time constraints, we used acrylic paint and a spray finish.

We were painting up until the day before school was out.

It was more than a little hectic, but I was thrilled with our owls!

 

 

 I'm working on a mini grant for next year that will allow me to do a ceramic project with each of my classes next year. I'm currently researching ways to make ceramics work with the other letters of STEAM. I'm brainstorming ideas involving 3D printed rolling pins. Fun Times!

End of the Year Fun

We have 2 and a half days left with kids. This year has flown by!

I brought home a chrysalis over the long weekend. I expected to have a butterfly by Monday. Of course butterflies always come on their own schedule. My house was full of excitement as we were trying to get ready for school on Tuesday morning. I took the newly emerged butterfly to the day care with my kids. I left school a little early to release it for an audience on the playground.

 

The thing wouldn't fly away. I was scared that it was injured or dying, so I coaxed it onto the tree high above the kids' reach. Thankfully it flew away after a few minutes!

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Tuesday also meant a pizza/pool party for my SumDog champion first graders. Our students take swimming classes during PE, but they still love an extra free swim! My fourth graders were on a field trip so I got to sit poolside for a while.

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 My CHANGE Club students created a wrap up presentation using Google Drive at our last meeting of the year. I have not yet used shared presentations with my classes, so it was a good chance to try it out with some of my 4th and 5th graders. It was amazing to watch them work together in real time.

I really want to look at Google trainings and tests this summer. I have dabbled enough this year to be sold on the possibilities for using GAFE next year. I'm even looking at starting a PLC.

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 My 5th grade students made ceramic owls last week.  I actually loaded and turned on the kiln all by myself. I'll post a pictures after we paint them next week.

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 I was at the FCR STEM Conference this week. My last session of the day involved making this cool little thing.(Directions available here)

 

My sub sent my this picture today. I bought this building toy with some money from the PTO.

They LOVE it! It really makes me feel like I'm doing something right if my K and 4th grade students beg for the sub to send me a picture of their work!

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Enjoy your weekend!