3rd Grade Leaf Dishes

My 3rd grade students made leaf dishes out of clay this year. I collected an assortment of oak leaves and maple leaves before the students arrived. I tried collecting them the night before, but they dried out! So, I spent each morning gather leaves at my house, and then lunch getting some from the playground. Then, I let each student pick a leaf that they liked.

Next, the students rolled slabs of clay. They roll on a plastic bag so it wouldn't stick to the table. The rolling sticks I use are wooden dowels from Lowe's, 1 1/2" diameter, cut to 12" each. The students have to roll in many directions (diagonally, horizontally, etc.) and on both sides (they pick the slab up, peal it off the bag, and flip it over).

Once the students have a nice slab, they put their leaf on top of it, with the bright shiny side up (so the side where the veins stick out farther is down). Then, they gently roll the leaf into the clay.

Next, the students use a needle tool to carefully cut all around the leaf. Then, a long piece of paper towel is twisted, and the students pick up each edge of the leaf and push some paper towel under it. This holds the edges up, to make the leaf into a nice dish. I think they're just the right size to be a soap dish!