Years ago for a birthday or Hanukkah or some occasion I was given this book as a gift:

It’s a really cute rhyming story with delightful illustrations. I thought this book would be great inspiration for this year’s 3rd grade clay project. We began by reading it and talking all about Hawaii (the setting of the story.) The kids were really excited to make this social studies connection especially talking about volcanos and identifying Hawaii as an island. The story is full of adjectives too — we identified adjectives as describing words and every time one was said, the kids would do a “thumbs up.” This was a great literature connection! We then rolled out a slab and created a moon.

A science connection was made when we talked about the word “atmosphere” and why the moon has craters. Students used different tools and objects to stamp in circles and textures for craters.

Next, we rolled out a coil and added legs, a face, and details. The last day was spent glazing after the projects were bisqued in the kiln.

I love the way these turned out and felt that they were especially awesome because of all of the cross-curricular connections and conversations made during the process.

^ With a hibiscus flower!

^ Bowser!