Gnome Sweet Gnome

In this project, fifth graders first thought about what materials a gnome might use to build his or her house in the woods- moss, sticks, acorns, mushrooms, leaves, bark, etc. After sketching out a design, students learned how to roll clay using a rolling pin and wooden slats to create a slab of consistent thickness. Most students then stood the slabs up to create cylinders that became the walls of their gnome house (a few other methods were used depending on the design). Additional slab roofs and other details were carefully added and beautifully glazed later. The results were whimsical and fun!