Clay Pinch Pots

Grade Level: 3rd grade

Project Description: To reflect the Hopi culture, we made clay pinch pots. When we finished forming and smoothing it out, we could either crave or pain symbols on it to represent who we are.

Steps:

• We kneaded the lump of clay to remove all the air bubbles. 
• Once we felt their were not air bubbles, we rolled the clay into a ball. To form the pot, we pressed our thumb into the middle of the ball. We kept moving out fingers around until we had the desired result. I chose to do a square for my pot shape. 
• To help fill any cracks and prints, we used water. This also helped smooth it out. 
• I chose. then, to paint my pot dark purple. Instead of carving into my paint, I choose three different designs to put on my pots after the purple dried. I did a dot creation to represent that everyone is unique. The flower represents my love for warmer weather. Lastly, the smiley face represents how a smile can brighten someone's day. We left our pots out to air dry. 

I found the most difficult part to be smoothing the pot out. I kept getting my fingernail print in the bowl. 

Extension Activity:I will have students research their own culture. If their culture makes pots, I will ask them to create a pot resembling their culture. Each student will make a pot. On their pot, they will put a symbol that represents their culture. We will present our pots at the end of the lesson and share the meaning behind them.