My 5th graders have to learn about Maria Martinez for their district tests. She is an amazing potter - but the kids told me that they have made "TONS of pots in elementary school!"...so, I wanted to jazz it up a bit and have them make a musical clay rattle instead! Even though she's a potter, and even though Pueblo Indians aren't necessarily known for rattles, I think we can draw from her technique of hand building as well as the beautiful pueblo designs that adorn her pieces.
I have a video to show them of her and her son working, but I think I will let them get the rattle done tomorrow and then the following week start with the video to keep the enthusiasm flowing. The idea is that they will etch into their rattles to make designs that either connect with the shape of their rattle or with an aspect of nature that they appreciate. Martinez and her husband repeatedly gave offerings to the earth when looking for clay and again when firing the clay. They valued the land they worked from greatly and connected their designs with both nature and the unique shape of each vessel they created.
ANYWAY - for those of you who love free resources and tutorials, I have provided an example slide below, as well as the actual link where you can download a PDF of my tutorial!
Thanks, and wish me luck!
Click here to check out the PDF file of this tutorial at google docs!
Always wanted to try this I'll follow your adventures with it!
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