Clay

Using clay is a great way to get students using their hands and really creating something original with their hands.  Clay is not that expensive and is easy for upper primary and intermediate students to use.  Understanding how work the clay and create different pieces is very important for this lesson.  Explaining what slip is and how it works is also vital so that there are no meltdowns when a students art has fallen apart in the kiln.

It is important to teach the students how to work the clay so that it doesn't dry out and crack, but also how to be safe.  Clay dust can be very uncomfortable if it gets in your eye and students need to be aware of their space and make sure that it is clean.  A safety talk should also be done around the kiln when explaining how it works and fires the clay.

We created 5 different shapes with the clay and then were asked to create an animal.  I created a lion, which I was quite disappointed with.  I think that it is important for our students to make sure we give them enough time to work and allow them to come back to their piece if they want to smooth it out or finish it.

There are so many different mediums for clay and different kinds of clay as well.  It is important when teaching about clay that we do not get focused on one process, but allow ourselves and our students to explore a range of different ways, like Raku firing.