Weeks 19-20 | Feb. 5 - 17 | Clay
Grade 1 Lesson
Clay Keychains
VA:Cr3.1.1a Use art vocabulary to describe choices while creating art.
VA:Re.7.2.1a Compare images that represent the same subject.
Objective: clay slab techniques, texture, color
Materials: clay, texture tools, clay tools, beads, cording, keyring, oil pastels, acrylic, Mod Podge
Vocabulary: Slab, roll, texture, color
Cross Curriculum: Valentine’s Day
Steps:
Day 1
1. Each student is given a small chunk of clay to work with. The students are given a hands on
demonstration on how to flatten the clay using their hands, and use small rollers to make small
slabs.
2. Each student can use a heart cookie cutter or bottle lid for a circle to place on the clay.
The student uses a clay tool to cut the shape out around the tracer. A straw is used to make a small
hole near the top of the clay piece.
3. The students use various texture tools to imprint a design onto their clay piece. They may make
a second small heart or circle to add to their final design. The clay is left to harden for a week, then
kiln fired to bisque stage.
Day 2
1. The students use an oil pastel to rub over the clay pieces today. After they add the oil, they use
watered down acrylic paint to paint on top. The clay is left to dry, and the teacher will add Mod
Podge to each piece to protect with a gloss.
Day 3
1. The students assemble the keychains with the clay, the cording, the beads and the rings.
Everyone will gather around the teacher to watch step by step instructions.
Evaluation:
1. Did the student effectively use the heart template to trace and cut a heart or circle?
2. Did the student create a design using texture tools?
3. Did the student use their tools effectively?
Weeks 19-20 | Feb. 5 - 17 | Clay
Grade 2 Lesson
Clay Kittens
VA:Cr1.2.2a Make art or design with various materials and tools to explore
personal interests, questions, and curiosity.
VA:Re.7.2.2a Categorize images based on expressive properties.
Objective: Clay, pinch pot, colors
Materials: Clay, acrylic paints, Mod Podge
Vocabulary: Pinch pot, slip, score
Cross Curriculum:
Steps:
1. Each student is given a chunk of clay and shown how to use the pinch pot technique:
thumbs up, thumb down, poke a hole into the clay. Using your hands, gently “pet” the clay until
a small cylinder shape is achieved.
2. The students pull ears from the clay and roll a small coil for the tail. The students are shown how
to poke a hole through the clay and then how to score the clay to attach the tail.
3. The clay is left to dry. After a week, it is kiln fired.
Day 2
1. The students are given acrylic paints and paint the kittens today. The palette is limited to true cat
colors: tans, browns, grays.
2. After the paint dries, the teacher coats the clay with Mod Podge to protect with a gloss.
Evaluation:
1. Did the student create a simple pinch pot and achieve ears and a tail?
2. Did the student paint the cat to look like a kitten?
3. Did the student use their tools effectively?
Weeks 19-20 | Feb. 5 - 17 | Clay
Grade 3 Lesson
Clay Cupcakes
VA:Cr2.1.3a Create personally satisfying artwork using a variety of artistic
processes and materials.
VA:Re.7.2.3a Determine messages communicated by an image.
Objective: Clay, pinch pot, slab
Materials: clay, silicone cupcake forms, acrylic paint, Mod Podge
Vocabulary: pinch pot, slab, coils
Cross Curriculum: Artist: Wayne Thiebaud
Steps:
1. Begin the class with discussing the artist Wayne Thiebaud, an artist who painted food, especially
desserts, often in his works. The students are shown a YouTube of his works. (he’s still alive, 96!!!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI_QJ5D9Qm8
2. Each student receives a small chunk of clay and a silicone cupcake liner. Reviewing the
techniques of a pinch pot, the students are instructed to place their clay into their liner, and
smooth out an interior similar to a pinch pot. The lids are slab forms, and the students are shown
how to shape their lids to create a dome. Another option is to create the lids using coil techniques.
3. Once the forms are created, the clay is left to dry and then kiln fired.
Day 2
1. The students use acrylic paints today in pastels and cupcake colors to decorate their cupcakes.
2. Once dry, the teacher coats the clay with Mod Podge.
Evaluation:
1. Did the student create a pinch pot bottom and slab top ?
2. Did the student paint the cupcake neatly and try design in their decorations?
3. Did the student use their tools effectively?
Weeks 19-20 | Feb. 5 - 17 | Clay
Grade 4 Lesson
Clay Coil Pots
VA:Cr2.1.4a Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.
VA:Re.7.1.4a Compare responses to a work of art before and after
working in similar media.
Objective: Coil technique, slab technique, scratch and attach, clay
Materials: clay, glaze, clay tools
Vocabulary: slab, coil, slip, score, leather hard, bisque
Cross Curriculum:
Steps:
1. Students are each given a chunk of clay to practice coil rolling and the different techniques.
They are given a handout showing the different methods. While working they are encouraged to
think of how they would like to design their coil pot.
2. The students sketch on paper the initial design for their clay pot. At the end of the period, the
clay is saved by placing in a Ziploc bag.
Day 2
1. The students receive their clay and go about construction their coil pot. The students create a
slab base, and review on the white board the steps necessary to create their pot. The teacher will
give a step by step demonstration showing the different techniques: slab base, coil rolling, scratch
and attach (using toothbrushes and slip).
2. The students create their coil pots, and set them aside when finished. They will air dry a week
and then go on to a bisque fire.
Day 3
1. Using glaze, the students paint their coil pots. They will go from table to table to use the
different colors.
2. Once glazed, they will be fired in the kiln again.
Evaluation:
1. Did the student create a simple coil pot using slab and coil techniques?
2. Did the student glaze the clay neatly and aesthetically pleasing?
3. Did the student use their tools effectively?
Weeks 19-20 | Feb. 5 - 17 | Clay
Grade 5 Lesson
Clay Looms
VA:Cr1.1.5a Combine ideas to generate an innovative idea for art-making.
VA:Cr1.2.5a Identify and demonstrate diverse methods of artistic
investigation to choose an approach for beginning a work of art.
Objective: Clay, slab technique, loom, weaving
Materials: clay, texture tools, straws, yarn, oil pastels, acrylic paints, tape
Vocabulary: slab, texture, loom, warp, weft
Cross Curriculum: Artist: Sheila Hicks
Steps:
1. The students are given a slab of clay. They will use clay tools to cut the outside of the loom into
the desired shape. The students will use a lid to trace around and cut out a circle in the center of
the clay, and add texture with stamps and clay tools. To finish the loom, create an odd number of
small holes around the center circle with a straw. (at least 15)
2. Once dry, the clay is fired.
Day 2
1. The students choose one color oil pastel and one color paint to color their looms. The oil pastel
is rubbed over the texture, and the acrylic paint is watered down and brushed on top of the pastel.
2. The teacher coats with Mod Podge.
Day 3
1. The students turn their looms over and number the holes from 1 to 15. They pull yarn through
the hole numbered 1, and then pull it through the opposing hole. The yarn is taped down to the
loom. The yarn is threaded through the hole next to the hole, and goes to the opposing hole again.
Continue until the thread is back to the hole numbered 1, which will create the warp. Once
threaded, the students tie on extra yarn to create the weft. They take the weft string and continue
to go under and over the warp until the center is filled with a circular weaving.
Evaluation:
1. Did the student create a slab that is at least one pinky width high and the hole is at
least two fingers width from the edge?
2. Did the student create a pleasing texture and color palette?
3. Did the student weave the yarn correctly?