Chinese China

Fifth grade artists finished up their study of Chinese art and culture with a study of Chinese vases. They learned that each vase has a different shape and purpose, such as the ginger jar, which was made to hold ginger and other precious spices.

They were interested to learn that blue and white porcelain became very popular in many parts of the world, and for a long time people did not know how to make this porcelain because the Chinese kept the process a secret!

We created our own “scratch paper” by coloring the paper with blue oil pastels, painting over it with a thin layer of tempera paint, and then scratching traditional Chinese patterns and designs into the dry paint.

IMG_0144 IMG_0145 IMG_0146 Scritchin’ and Scratchin’

IMG_0247 IMG_0248 IMG_0249 IMG_0250 IMG_0252

I Can: Tell two facts about Chinese vases; decorate my vases with traditional Chinese motifs such as flowers, birds, and geometric patterns.