The 5th-Grade TOTEM PROJECT

Integrating Social Studies, Math, Science, Studio Art, Group Collaboration, and Community Contribution

The 5th graders are creating a ceramic totem structure in honor of MPI's "100 Years in Manoa" celebration.  Totems are symbols that represent traditional cultural ideas and beliefs.  The students have studied Native American totems and used what they learned from that study to create their own totems to represent MPI.  During classroom discussions, students explained why they felt their symbols should be included on the totem structure.
   
Miss Tracey offered her ceramics expertise to lead the project so that students can build on a large scale. It was decided that the totem structure would be made of clay and would stand about six feet. A tiered structure was agreed upon as the best way to allow the maximum number of the students' symbols to be included.
   
Further discussion led to the idea of a community space to hold the totem structure. Students viewed and discussed the spatial and weathering aspects of the triangular space adjacent to Mr. Black's classroom. They wrote down their ideas, and many drew pictures of how the space might look. It was clear that such a space would be very significant to the fifth graders, and this area is being considered as the permanent place of residence for the totem structure.  

The students used ratio, scale, circumference, and diameter as they explored on paper how to build the totem structure. A "blueprint" of the tiers and overall height of the structure were mapped.  Some students used string and rulers, while others used a roll of toilet paper, string, and a ruler. Using the toilet paper was such a hit that these students are looking forward to trying it out with the rest of the class to see how much more there is to discover. The main focus here was for students to use their math measurement skills to make a lifesized two-dimensional blueprint of the totem structure.

Next, the students were introduced to Big White, the clay that will be used for the structure. Big White is different from Terra Cotta, the clay they used to make their totems. After some hands-on work and some discussions, most students agreed that Big White was the better choice for a large sculpture because of its high moisture and particular grog (sand and other geologic substrates) content, as well as its seemingly lower cracking tendency when manipulated for a long period of time.

Finally, the students completed an assignment in which they voted for 1) a name for the totem structure, 2) the totems to be included on the structure, 3) the focal point, or "topper," for the structure, and 4) the theme order of the structure's tiers, with the overall theme being the fifth grade class's celebration of MPI's 100 years in Manoa.

Analysis of the preliminary choices indicated that the majority of the totems should be used because at least one, if not many, students provided well thought-out reasons for their inclusion. The students decided that the remaining totems should not be included because they did not have a significant enough link with MPI.

The students voted again, this time while looking at three samples of a finished totem structure. Structures A and B had a Hawaiian theme with variance in tier-order only, while Structure C had more of a global theme.
The final vote from the combined two fifth-grade classes resulted in a tie between the two Hawaiian-themed totem structures. The number of totems made for each theme will determine the final order of the themed tiers. The four themed tiers will be 1) Hawai‘i, 2) Education, 3) Sports and Health, and 4) Nature with Life-Cycle Processes. The structure's name will be Class of 2008, and the topper will be the Pueo.

The Wet Clay Work Begins!

The first week of February was used to review clay properties, proper handing of clay, and proper clay-wedging techniques, and to introduce new tools specific to large-clay sculpting. Clay slip was made. The students loved the feel of the clay slip as they squeezed it through their fingers to mix the semi-solid with a liquid. Good clay slip is essential for the work the students will be doing, so they will all have the opportunity to make slip before this project is complete. A mechanical clay slab roller was also used by many students.

The fifth-grade classes spent the second week of February wedging and rolling out clay, making measurment templates and double-checking their measurements with rulers as they worked though 100 pounds of clay in two days. Next week they will continue this work and begin to join pieces together. This is a long, labor- intensive endeavor, and the spirits of the children are enough to motivate anyone. It is very evident that they are completely focused and dedicated to completing this work to the best of their ability.

Students are working in shifts on this project. Instead of pieces being made individually, each piece is a continuation of another student's work. In this way, the finished structure will truly be a collaboration by all hands. The goal is to complete the wet work in unfired clay by spring break to allow for two weeks of drying time before bisque-firing right after spring break. Glazing of the fired bisque is scheduled for early April if all goes as planned.   

The fifth grade has come together as a community to achieve the common goal of successfully completing the totem structure project. 
Stay tuned for more news on the project! It is sure to be great!

Posted on February 19, 2008 4:33 PM | Permalink