This Native American Rice (Clay Pot) art project is a November project that we have done at my school for many years, probably for as long as I have been teaching. I'm not sure which one of my teacher friends came up with the idea, but I imagine it was Mrs. Reyes (the crafty one).I love using this project as a way of helping students relate to the Native American way of life. I'm not sure what it is, but it just does for some reason. We of course read several books about the pilgrims and Native Americans during this time of the year, so I guess this helps, but anyways I love this project. It is a bit messy, with rice pieces landing on the floor, but it is worth it. I think when I taught kindergarten we did this as an outside center, but I'm in California so we can still get away with this in November most times.
Here is how I do this project. First, I get the rice ready. This is super easy. You just need white rice, food coloring, rubbing alcohol, a bowl (I like using a metal bowl), a spoon and zip-loc bags.
Place some rice in a large bowl. I used about a pound and a half (3/4 of a two pound bag). Then add about 10 large drops of food coloring. Next add about a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. I don't actually measure. I just pour a little in the bowl and start mixing. If I need more color or alcohol I just add more. You just don't want to soak your rice. If you are doing it correctly it will dry almost immediately. Store your rice in zip-loc bags.Be careful when using the bowl for the next color. You will either need to clean the bowl or use colors that won't change the color you want.Next you will want to make your clay pot pattern. Use a sharpie or black marker to draw a clay pot on a sheet of copy paper. This will be your master copy. You don't want to draw them all by hand unless you are only going to be doing one or two, or if you want them all to be different, which older students would be able to do. After you have drawn your clay pot make copies. The sample shown has been cut down to 8 1/2 X 11 in order to match it to a standard sheet of copy paper, but you could also make smaller versions if you wanted.
Provide students with a copy of their clay pot and have them write their names on back. They will also need a bottle of glue and small cups or bowls of rice. It works well to put out enough for a group and let them share.Have students squeeze glue onto one section of the clay pot and then add the rice. Putting glue in a small container and using a cotton swab to spread the glue is another option, but the rice won't stick very well unless enough glue is applied. I think when we did this in kindergarten it was the parent helpers who put the glue on for the students.
After the glue is in place, students can then take pinches of rice with their fingers and place the rice onto their clay pot. They continue the process, alternating colors, until their pot is complete.
Once students are done with their clay pot it will need to sit for awhile to dry. After it has dried the clay pots will need to be turned over a tub or trash can, so that the loose pieces of rice don't end up on the floor.
I did this as a whole class activity yesterday and it it worked out great. My students worked quietly and took the project very seriously. They finished at different times, which worked out well for the clean up. I was able to hang the pots up before class. My students were excited to see their work.
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