SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

Picasso in the pottery workshop – creating connection and belonging

The first-graders encountered clay for the first time in our pottery workshop, which sparked a great deal of excitement and curiosity in them. As they explored its texture, smell, and countless shaping possibilities, they relaxed and quickly felt a creative surge. The work captivated them so much that they didn't want to stop, as they realised how playful and adaptable this material is. They most liked that they could quickly fix any mistakes, that the product wasn't immediately ruined, and that clay can be recycled. At the same time, they also noticed that clay becomes dry after prolonged kneading in their hands and is therefore increasingly difficult to shape – a valuable experience that taught them attention and careful handling of the material.

A special part of the creative process was making human figures from a single piece of clay. Using a basic lump, the students carefully pulled to shape a head, two arms, and two legs. It was important that they then placed the figure on the table so that it was stable and stood on its own. This required precision, patience, and a good understanding of the proportions between the individual body parts. With great joy and by carefully following the instructions, all the students managed to create likeable, unique, and stable figures, of which they were extremely proud.

Pupils worked in groups, supported each other, and became more connected as a class community. Together they shaped human figures and placed them in a circle – a symbol of our school, connection, and community. Through clay, they expressed belonging, a sense of togetherness, and a sincere desire for shared creation.

When their creations were handed over to be fired in suitable kilns, the children were pleasantly surprised by the transformation the clay had undergone. They were impressed by the new, warmer colours and the completely different texture of the material – the clay was no longer yielding and soft, but hard, brittle, and even sounded different. They realised that after firing, a piece could break into several fragments, much like a ceramic cup. This experience gave them insight into the entire process of ceramic creation, where a soft substance is transformed into a durable object by heat.

Belonging is an emotional, social, or psychological connection to a particular group, place, idea, or organisation.

Includes:

• connectedness – a sense of belonging, understanding, and being valued within a group,
• identity – understanding who we are and where we belong,
• zvestobo – pripravljenost podpirati in ohranjati tisto, čemur pripadamo.

Through creating with clay, the students demonstrated how belonging connects individuals and builds a community based on five fundamental Slovenian values: respect, solidarity, responsibility, tolerance, and mutual assistance. The workshop is a wonderful testament to how even the youngest can learn the value of connection and cooperation through play, creativity, and teamwork. The resulting creations are not just works of art but also warm reminders that belonging and mutual assistance make us stronger – as individuals and as a community.

Teacher: Iva Kovač

Primary School Šmartno pri Slovenj Gradcu