My fifth graders this year learned about the Egyptian culture for their clay project.  They learned about and create Canopic jars.  They had to make two pinch pots for the jar and attach them together.  They had to cut the opening of the jar.  They made the lid and attached a coil under the lid to prevent from slipping off.  They created something to attach to the lid.  Some students chose to engrave the base of the jar.  They antiqued them with watered down black paint and then added gold or silver paint with a sponge.  They turned out amazing!  I would buy these!      

My fourth graders made clay mugs this year.  We had a lot of fun with this project.  I had rolled slabs ahead of time for the base and the sides of the mugs.  They had to construct it using the score, slip, and bond technique.  They had to roll a coil for the handle and attach that.  Finally, they got to choose what subject matter they would use to design their mug.  Fun Functional Art!

3rd Grade Clay Cupcake Sculptures

My 3rd graders this year made clay cupcake sculptures.  This was a new lesson for me this year and I loved it!  The third grade clay standard is coiling, so this worked out perfect.  The students made a pinch pot for the base and then used coils to make the frosting.  Some students added a cherry or something on top.  They glazed them after they were fired.  They turned out great!  I will definitely use this project again. 

Clay Faces

My 5th graders studied the Georgia Artist, Kimmy Cantrell, for their clay unit this year.  I love this lesson and so do they!  It is a great lesson to show student engagement.  We look at Cantrell's artwork and discuss the symbolism behind his work.  We also focus on asymmetry for this project.  Then, the students create their own face with symbolism and asymmetry in mind.  They use their drawing as a template to cut out their face shape from a slab of clay.  They have to use both additive and subtractive techniques when creating their face.  They use the score and slip technique to attach their pieces.  After is dries and is fired, then they paint it with tempera paints.  They are so proud!!

 

Pinch Pots

My first graders made pinch pots.  We studied Mexican pottery made by the Nahua Native Americans from Central Mexico.  They learned how to roll the clay into a sphere, push their thumb into the sphere to make a hole, and pinch with all four fingers while they turn it.  Then, they learned how to shape the rim of the pot, and use a finger tip of water to smooth the surface of the clay.  Finally, they glazed them using a pattern for their surface design.  On the day they get them back, the students do an observational drawing.  We talk about how to make something look 3D when drawing.  The students love to work with clay!

Clay Animal Sculptures

My 2nd graders made clay animal sculptures.  We build off of their clay technique from 1st grade.  They start by making a pinch pot and turn it into the body of the animal.  I teach a variety of clay techniques such as, pinch, score, slip, bond, coil, additive, and subtractive.  After the sculptures come out of the kiln the students glaze them.  When I give them back, in class they do an observational drawing of their sculpture, and they write a Cinquain poem about their animal.  They love this project!

Mrs. Andrew's and I had our 4th grade students at Findley Oaks Elementary create an installation for International Fine Arts Night this year. The students recreated John's Creek by sculpting different buildings and houses out of clay. Parent volunteers helped to bring it all together by making the roads, trees, and street signs. It looks amazing!