State of Iowa - Pottery and History Curriculum Lesson for Homeschooling or Summer Enrichment
Iowa
Pottery Road Trip lessons are a fun way to learn a little bit about America while making a pottery project. Use these lessons as-is or use them as a starting point. From here, you can delve deeper by checking out library books, writing reports or doing more research about the state. You can make a lapbook about Iowa, or you can make a recipe from the state. These lessons are adaptable to fit your needs.
I've listed some fun facts about the state to help you get started. I've also included step-by-step photos of how to make a pottery project for the state of Iowa.
Iowa State Facts
State Abbreviation: IA
Capital: Des Moines
State Nickname: The Hawkeye State
State Motto: State “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"
State Song: "The Song of Iowa”
State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch
State Tree: Oak
State Flower: Wild Rose
Famous People Born in Iowa:
Herbert Hoover, 31st US President
John Wayne, actor
Johnny Carson, late night host
Buffalo Bill Cody, actor, military leader
Shawn Johnson, gymnast
Ashton Kutcher, actor
Elijah Wood, actor
Fun Facts:
Quaker Oats is the largest cereal company in the world, and it is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Iowa’s state borders are formed by the Missouri, Big Sioux and Mississippi Rivers.
Iowa means “Beautiful Land.”
John Wayne (birth name: Marion Robert Morrison) was born in Iowa. He was the son of a pharmacist and became a popular movie star.
FortAtkinson was the only fort ever built by the US government to protect one tribe of Indians from another tribe.
Winnebago campers and motor homes are from Winnebago County, Iowa.
For Iowa, we are going to make a bowl of oatmeal!
Start by making a ball of clay.
Start a pinch pot by pushing your thumb into the clay.
Begin pinching the clay with your thumb and index finger to open it up into a pot.
Begin pinching the clay with your thumb and index finger to open it up into a pot.
Continue pinching until it is open like a bowl.
Wet your fingers and use the water to rub away any cracks.
Take another piece of clay and make a smaller ball.
With a fork, scratch up the top of the ball. This is going to be the oatmeal in your bowl.
Attach the "oatmeal" to the inside of the bowl.
To learn how to properly attach two pieces of clay, visit my Hub:
- How to Use Real Clay
This is an explanation of the proper way to use "real" clay.