Fireflies Family Learning
Art Through History: Cell 2 - Pottery
In this set of readings, videos, and projects, children (Pre-school to 8th grade) will learn about History through Art. The focus of Art Learning Cell 2 is pottery, as it was done in Biblical times.
Learning Cell #1: Memory Verse Challenge
Isaiah 64:8
"But now, O Yahweh, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our Potter; and we all are the workmanship of Your Hand."
Learning ABout POttery:
READ ABOUT IT:
SEE ANCIENT POTTERY:
SEE ANCIENT POTTERY:
SEE ANCIENT POTTERY:
SEE ANCIENT POTTERY:
SEE ANCIENT POTTERY:
Pottery in Bible times was essential, made from local clay into everyday items like cooking pots, storage jars, lamps, and bowls. Pottery can be from simple hand-formed shapes to wheel-thrown, handled vessels. In Messiah's time, pottery was used in almost every part of life.
Pottery is used as a symbol for people in the Bible. Yahweh compares Himself to a Potter, forming us, as the clay into a beautiful and purposeful person - designed by Him.
Check out these videos:
Inspirational: I Am the Potter
Bible Story: Jeremiah and the Potter
LEARN & EXPLORE
SEE ANCIENT POTTERY:
WRITING: POTTERY POETRY (Grades 4-8)
Want to learn more about ancient pottery? Here are some links to further discovery:
Dayton Art Institute Museum (video) for kids on Ancient Pottery
Kid's Experience Making Pottery on a Wheel
WRITING: POTTERY POETRY (Grades 4-8)
WRITING: POTTERY POETRY (Grades 4-8)
WRITING: POTTERY POETRY (Grades 4-8)
Write an acrostic poem on pottery or clay (be sure to complete the reading assignment first). In an acrostic poem, the letters in the word POTTERY or CLAY start as the first letter of each line of the poem.
Here's an example of an acrostic poem on POTTERY:
P - ainting a geometric
O - bject in your hands
T - ick tock as
T - ime goes by.
E - ach hand covered in
R - ich clay as
Y - our hands make art.
CREATING: MAKE POTTERY: (Grades K-8)
WRITING: POTTERY POETRY (Grades 4-8)
CREATING: MAKE POTTERY: (Grades K-8)
To make a Bible-times inspired air-dry clay bowl, get the following supplies. Create your pot as shown in the video link below. Let it dry for 24-48 hours, sand edges smooth, and then paint your pot with acrylic paint for an ancient look. Remember to use air-dry clay (not bakeable Sculpey) and keep it decorative, as it's not food-safe.
Craft Supplies you'll need for this art project:
- Air dry modeling clay
- acrylic paints (authentic colors are earth tones, but you can paint it any color).
- clear, acrylic sealer
ROAD TRIP! FIELD TRIP IDEAS
WRITING: POTTERY POETRY (Grades 4-8)
CREATING: MAKE POTTERY: (Grades K-8)
How to Find Examples of Ancient Pottery Near You:
Identify Local Museums & Cultural Centers:
- Universities, especially those with art or anthropology departments, often have museums with historical pottery collections.
- Look for historical societies or smaller museums in nearby towns; they sometimes house local Native American artifacts
- Use Google Maps or Yelp with specific terms: "ancient pottery [your town]."
- When you find it, make a time to go to see it.