PBL: ClayTales — The Finale
Date: 21st October, 2022; Friday.
Facilitators: Auindrilla, Drishti, Priyanka, and Nikita.
Participants: Adrived, Dhriya, Divit, Hazzel, Maryam, Nitara, Parth, Rishit, Shannaya, Sharlav, Shivansh, Shivanyaa, Taanush, Vaanya, and Yuvaan (Mehra).
Tags: art, sensory, pbl
Welcome to the Grand Finale of this PBL unit! The final day of ClayTales just so happened to coincide with an important festival in India… Diwali! Our Arthlings were welcomed to a brightly decorated classroom, and ushered in the festivities with some fun flower play!
The topping on top of the laddu? They were able to pack their finished ClayTales to take home as a Diwali present!
PLANNING AND SETUP
Wrapping My ClayTale: Sheets of clear cellophane, cellotape, and ribbons were kept ready for use. The children were given their work from the previous class.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Arthlings were introduced to a new material — cellophane! The educators demonstrated how to wrap a ClayTale with cellophane, and secure it with decorative ribbons. The Arthlings were eager to assist in different stages of the process! They provided cellotape for wrapping, and even attempted to wrap and tie the ribbons themselves! Maryam and Taanush experimented with cellophane wrapping. Yuvaan (Mehra) wanted to learn how to tie a knot! He managed this task by holding one end of a ribbon, while Drishti Didi held the other. At the end of the class, the children took their finished ClayTales home!
Hazzel poses with her ClayTale!
Dhriya and her ClayTale, ready to take home!
Adrived and Drishti Didi have a spirited conversation!
Shannaya, Maryam, and Divit learn how to wrap their gifts in cellophane.
Divit and his finished creation!
Rishit and his ClayTale wrapped in cellophane.
Maryam and her finished ClayTale!
Yuvaan (Mehra) strikes a pose with his ClayTale.
SKILLS USED
Fine motor skills
Focus and concentration
Hand-eye coordination
Cooperation
Curiosity and exploration
OUTCOME AND FUTURE
This PBL unit brought with it many learnings, for students and teachers alike! For the children, it encouraged deep investigation into the material, while also inviting them to dig deep into their imaginations! The children developed a mastery of tools and techniques used to manipulate clay, but more importantly they transferred this learning to create original artworks. The children were introduced to new vocabulary, and new ways to use their hands and bodies!
For the teachers, this unit served as an important reminder: although adults approach their projects with a fixed goal and focus, children enjoy having the freedom to improvise and innovate, as we observed in our Arthlings' ever-transforming ClayTales!