Core Skills Analysis
Art
- Understood the role of color and design in artistic expression and how these elements convey social messages, such as status and fashion trends.
- Practiced hands-on creativity by designing and decorating a pottery piece, developing fine motor skills and artistic techniques related to traditional ceramics.
- Explored the aesthetic principles used in ancient Roman pottery, including the significance of patterns and color coordination.
- Gained an appreciation for craftsmanship by engaging in a tactile art form that connects historical art-making with contemporary creativity.
History
- Learned about the cultural significance of pottery in Ancient Rome, including its practical uses and symbolic meanings associated with social identity.
- Recognized how material culture like pottery can serve as historical evidence to understand past societies’ values and daily life.
- Understood the relationship between art and social hierarchy in Roman times, noting how colors and styles indicated wealth and fashion.
- Developed an awareness of ancient Roman lifestyle through the contextual study of artifacts and their meanings.
Tips
To deepen the student’s understanding, consider organizing a home 'archaeological dig' by burying and then excavating painted clay pieces to simulate discovery and study. Explore how other ancient cultures used pottery by comparing design motifs and purposes, encouraging cross-cultural historical connections. Incorporate storytelling by imagining who might have used the pottery, fostering empathy and creative writing skills. Finally, visit a museum or virtual exhibit on Roman artifacts to see real examples and connect classroom learning with tangible history.
Book Recommendations
- Stories from Ancient Rome by Celia Rees: A captivating collection of Roman tales that brings ancient culture and daily life vividly to life for young readers.
- The Roman Empire: Ancient Peoples and Places by Michael Woods and Mary B. Woods: An engaging, illustrated history book that introduces children to Roman civilization and its artifacts.
- Pottery: A How-To Guide from the Ancient World to the 21st Century by Susan Peterson: A beginner-friendly introduction to pottery techniques combined with historical insights from various cultures including Rome.
Learning Standards
- Art & Design (KS2, England) - Develop techniques using pattern, texture, colour, line, shape, form and space (National Curriculum: Art and Design, Year 6)
- History (KS2, England) - Study an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066. Also, a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history (National Curriculum: History, Years 3-6)
- History (KS2, England) - Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources (National Curriculum: History, Years 3-6)
Try This Next
- Create a worksheet where the student matches colors and patterns with Roman social classes and writes why they chose specific designs for their pottery piece.
- Design a quiz with questions about Roman pottery uses, symbolism of colors, and historical context to reinforce key learning points.