There are moments when integration is simple. Teaching science through art is one such moment.
Mrs. Read’s 8th Grade Life Science class studied leaves, then made their own from clay. We talked about the properties of clay and glaze as well as different methods to use when working with both. After rolling out a clay slab, each student chose a leaf and pressed it into the clay, creating a clear impression of the leaf. Once the clay leaf was carefully cut out and refined, it was left to air dry, then was fired in the kiln, glazed and fired a second time. Not only did this project help the students closely observe the way each leaf is composed, they ended up with a beautiful piece of art to take home.
