Inuit Soapstone

Integrated Subjets: Social Studies, Visual Arts (Sculpture)

Overview:
During our study on the Inuit way of life, my grade 2 class looked at the traditional art forms used by the Inuit. We read books and looked at many pictures to learn about soap stone carving. After much observation and analysis, the students were given 2 bars of soap and a plastic knife to carve their own soapstone images. Later, a parent voluneer and artist, brought in a rough block of soapstone. This allowed the students to feel real soapstone and see how brittle it is. Students then worked with the artist to plan, carve, sand and polish the soapstone into a beautiful polar bear!