Grades: 4th & 5th

Worry Stone

Medium: Ceramics & Paper

Durations: 1-30minutes 1-1Hour

Kansas State Standard VA:Basic:4.3.3

Materials

Standard 4: Understanding the Visual Arts in Relation to History & Cultures.

Benchmark 3: The student creates art based on historical & cultural ideas of
diverse people.
Indicator 3: Creates art with a purpose.

Clay
Slip
Masonite Boards
Ceramics Tools

Objectives
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Students will learn the history & uses of a worry stones.

Students will create their own worry stone out of clay.

Students will use glaze to add color & a smooth finish to their worry stone.

Art Production
1Hour- Read Story & History, Create Worry Stones
30 Minutes- Glaze Worry Stones

Glazes (Variety)
Magazines
Scissors
Glue Sticks
String

Elements of Art
Form, Texture, Color

Principles of Design
__

CREATING WEEK
1 Hour
Anticipatory Set: Read The Worry Stone by Marianna Dengler.
Input: WorryStones.PPT
Stones have been sacred in various cultures for their ability to take away
negativity. Worry stones are smooth stones that are rubbed between the fingers to
calm away worries.
In many cultures, worry stones are thought to relieve stress. The basic method used
is rubbing the smooth area of the stone with the index finger and thumb. Each
culture adds its own traditions to this practice.
Worry stones are used for many purposes by a variety of cultures. They originated
in Ancient Greece a few millenia ago as Palm Stones. The first worry stones were
simple rocks that had been worn smooth by the sea.
Native Americans kept stones in sacred bundles, and the stones were believed to
hold the power to heal. These stones were passed to each generation as a link to
their ancestors. They were also rubbed between fingers to cast away worries.
Quartz was believed to have the ability to absorb negativity.
In Irish folklore, rubbing a worry stone crafted from Connemara marble will
relieve worries and bring luck. (Pass around the Connemara marble bracelet so

Worry Stone

Vocabulary
Worry Stone smooth, polished gemstones,
usually in the shape of an oval with a thumbsized indentation, used for relaxation or
anxiety relief.
Slab Pressed or rolled flat sections of clay
used in hand building. (Take a ball of clay,
squish & flip)
Glaze A mixture of glass particles,
pigment, and water used to color
ceramics. The glaze mixture melts during
firing to fuse with the ceramic surface.
Greenware (Bone Dry) Clay that has
completely dried out, but has not been fired
yet. At this stage, the clay is extremely
fragile and little or nothing can be done to
the clay. At this stage clay is ready to be
fired in the kiln.

students can see a genuine sample of Connemara marble.)

All you have to do is place this flat stone in between your thumb and index finger.
Rub the stone using your thumb so that the continuous motion activates the nerves
situated at the base of your thumb that results in releasing natural endorphins
(endorphins are chemicals in your brain that tell it to be happy). This, in turn,
produces a sense of calmness and relaxation in the body and mind.
In modern times, worry stones are often carved from semiprecious gemstones.
Worry stones are often used to relieve boredom. Rubbing a worry stone can be
welcomed distraction during a particularly boring situation.
Show and define the stages of clay: greenware, bisqueware, glazeware.(pass
around examples) Tell the students that it will be a long time before they get their
stones back because they have to dry and be fired into bisqueware and then well
glaze them and fire them again into glazeware.
Demonstrate: Demonstrate how to wedge, flatten, and shape the clay into a worry
stone. Demonstrate adding a thumbprint impression to the stone.
Independent Practice:
1. Distribute materials needed to complete the assignment (clay, ceramics tools,
Masonite boards).
2. Slab Roll the clay into a ball. Press the piece of clay down with the flat part
of your palm, right under the thumb, to flatten. Flip it over and press again.
(Squish & Flip) Repeat until you have created a consistent thickness to the
entire piece of clay. (A pencil width tall)
3. Cut You may either use the current shape of the clay or cut the slab into a
desired shape. Once cut use your finger to smooth out the edges and round any
sharp corners
4. Using light pressure, press your thumb into the middle of your stone to create
a depression. This will be where your thumb goes when you rub your stone.
Your stone will be uniquely yours, fitting your thumb exactly. Smooth out all
the edges and cracks in your stone.
5. When you are done, raise your hand for approval. Once approved, be sure to
place your stone directly on top of your nametag as you set it on the purple
table.

Bisqueware Clay objects that have been

fired one time, turning the clay into glass. At
this stage, clay is ready to be stained,
painted or glazed.
Glazeware Clay that has been applied
with glaze or underglazes and then fired a
second time.

Art History/Resources
WorryStones.PPT (Google Drive)

Modifications/Notes
Students, who finish early making their
worry stone, should make another for
students who may be absent.

Closing: Clean up! Put extra clay back in the green bucket. Put your worry stone
on top of your nametag, on the purple table. Go wash hands.
Review the history of worry stones and their function. Also, point out some
inappropriate ways to use the worry stone versus appropriate ways.
Review the stages of clay: greenware, bisqueware, glazeware.
When everyone has cleaned up, remind students that it will be a long time before
they get their stones back because they have to dry and be fired into bisqueware
and then well glaze them and fire them again into glazeware.

GLAZING WEEK
30 Minute
Anticipatory Set: Review stages of clay. Ask students to give answers for the
stages of clay. Review the history of worry stones. Ask students to tell where
worry stones started, what peoples use them, and the purpose of a worry stone.
Demonstrate: Show students how to glaze their worry stones.
Guided Practice: As this will not take long, students will also be working on
another project or free draw. Two tables will be set up with glazes to choose from.
Students will be called individually to the tables where they may select a color and

Worry Stone

glaze their stone. Once their stone is glazed, the student will return to their seat.
Closure: Review stages of ceramics. Remind students that it will still be a while
before they receive their finished worry stone.

Aesthetic Questions
If something is made for function, can it still be art?
Is the worry stone itself art, or the process of making it?

Art Criticism/Analysis Questions

Could the shape of your worry stone affect the function of it?
What is glaze? What makes it different from paint?
Do you think glazing our stones is better than painting them? Why?

Worry Stone