Thanks to Melissa Ennis from Orchard View Elementary school for this fun lesson idea!
History of Garden Gnomes
The history of gnomes being used in gardens is longer than you might think. The tradition originated in the 1800s, and those original garden gnomes are far different than the plastic or plaster gnomes we know today. The first known garden gnomes were produced in Germany in the early 1800s. They were made out of clay. Gnomes first appeared in gardens in England in the 1840s, and from there their popularity began to take off. Unfortunately, the world wars wiped out most garden gnome production in Germany, and beginning in the 1960s, the plastic gnomes we know today came on the scene.
The history of gnomes also passes along the folklore and why you would want one in your garden. Gnomes are known as symbols of good luck. Originally, gnomes were thought to provide protection, especially of buried treasure and minerals in the ground. They are still used today to watch over crops and livestock, often tucked into the rafters of a barn or placed in the garden. Today, a garden gnome adds a bit of whimsy and a connection to the old world, where farmers believed the good luck charm could help their fields yield more produce and protect them from thieves, pests and other problems. They were also thought to help gardeners in the night, which we all could use!
I can use additive clay sculpting techniques to create a garden gnome sculpture in the round using excellent craftsmanship. I can add details to my garden gnome sculpture that communicate a cause or value that I am passionate about. I can paint my gnome using excellent craftsmanship, remembering that this is a sculpture in the round.