Grade 5s explore ceramics in Visual Art

In connection with the UOI: Sharing the Planet, grade 5 students embarked on a hands-on journey in Visual Art class into the world of ceramics and Earth’s natural resource - clay.

By employing hand-building techniques such as pinch, slab, and coil methods, they have skillfully crafted a variety of functional objects, including jewelry stands, vases, cups, and small containers with lids, using nothing but their hands and basic wooden and metal tools for shaping and detailing.

One of the highlights of this artistic adventure has been the glazing process. It involves adding colour to their creations, a step filled with anticipation as the final outcome remains somewhat of a surprise until the piece is fired. This step makes the clay artwork waterproof and durable, teaching students about the transformational properties of heat on clay.

Throughout this unit, students have proved to be responsible, open-minded and risk-taking learners. The tactile and transformative world of clay art has not only enriched their understanding of using natural resources creatively but also instilled in them valuable life lessons about adaptability, perseverance, and the beauty of unexpected outcomes.