Project # 13 Lacy Clay Ornament

This project was introduced by a PowerPoint that featured representations of different types of lace. After discussing the various types of lace, I was given a half sheet of construction paper to use to draw a design to be used as a template for my lace ornament. I chose a five-petal flower design inside two decorative rings. I used a black sharpie to outline the design I created on the construction paper. Next, I taped a piece of waxed paper over the design. I was given a small amount of clay in a small zip-locked baggie. I kneaded the clay until the water that had separated from the clay was reincorporated into the clay. I then worked the clay to one corner of the baggie and snipped the very tip of that corner being careful to keep the hole small reasoning that I could always make it bigger if I needed to, but I could not make it smaller. I forced the clay out of the small hole using the clay to trace the design onto the waxed paper. (It was sort of like decorating a cake with a tube of frosting). I was careful to keep the lines as uniform as possible and make them thick enough so that when the clay dried and the waxed paper was peeled off, the lines of the lace would be intact. After I finished my pattern with the clay, I painted it with water colors using the warm colors of yellow, orange, red and a shade of red made by mixing black with the red. After the clay dried, it was fairly easy to remove from the waxed paper. I then tied a piece of ribbon to it so that it could be hung.

A lacy clay ornament could be an extension activity in social studies as students study the role clay has played in past or present civilizations. If this study occurred near a holiday (such as Mother's Day or Christmas) the class could be encouraged to make them as gifts. Another social studies possibility might be connecting lace to the time in history when lace was very fashionable and incorporated in men's clothing as well as women's clothing. Children always seem to enjoy comparing the style of dress of earlier days to current fashion.

Project # 12 Stepping Stone

The stepping stone project used a photo as its focal point. I chose a photo of myself and my fiance because it had a special meaning for me. The photo was laminated before the project began. This project started with a plastic circular form in which a cement mixture was placed. The cement mixture filled the form to about 3/4 full. Before adding any of the decorative pieces, I shook the mixture to help the air bubbles to come to the top. I also used several paper towels to remove some of the water that came to the top of the cement mixture. With most of the standing water removed, I began by laying my picture in the middle. I was given a choice of colored stones, both smooth and rough, and other various objects like shells that I could use to decorate my stone. I chose to decorate the stone in a balanced fashion. Because the photo represented my relationship with someone very special, I chose colors of stones to represent important aspects of that relationship. The green stones represent the "grass"-finished-beef we raise; the blue stones represent the enormous obstacle of water that we both have had to overcome to develop our business; and the dark pink stones represent the love we share for one another.

Making stepping stones such as this one could be a classrom extension activity of a social studies class where students may be studying the longevity of structures typical to various civilizations; take for example cement interstate hiways vs. paved or gravel roads or cement buildings vs. wood frame buildings. Comparisons and contrasts can be drawn concerning the strength of those elements of that society's infrastructure which not only adds significant material value but can also add atheistic value. Allowing students the opportunity to create something that can last a long time can help them understand the idea of permanency. A stepping stone such as this one can also be an extension of a science class where students could study the properties of different elements and how those elements interact.