Teacher's Corner

Instructional Objective: 

• The students will develop a three dimensional sculpture based on their knowledge of structures and functions.

• The students will design their sculpture considering the physical features that will convey the character’s personality.

Curricular Integration:

The study of animals and their habitats is often a science unit at this level as well as the depletion of natural habitats.  These clay animals could also easily be used as a character in a writing activity either nonfiction or a work of fiction to help teach the 6 Trait Writing components. 

Materials and Equipment: 

Low fire earthenware clay
Clay tools used to sculpt
Assorted tempera or acrylic paints
Water based varnish

Resource Materials:

The Kids ‘N’ Clay Ceramics Book Created by Kevin Nierman, written by Elaine Arima and illustrated by Curtis H. Arima

Dynasty/FM Brush - Eye of the Tiger Brushes: 

Round: #0, #4, #6
Flats: #6, #10, #12
Liner:  #15/0, #5/0, #1

Project Requirements:

1. Design a clay sculpture based on an actual animal.
2. Build the animal based on hand building techniques. 
3. Paint the piece using tempera or acrylic paints. 

Project Introduction: 

1. As I began developing this project I happened upon a Fisher Price toy that had belonged to my children when they were very young and noticed that they tended to be bottom heavy so that they would stand up easily in children’s hands.  I began to think that this might be a good option for students with developing fine motor skills and chose to experiment with chunky bottom heavy animals.  These animals tend to be no bigger than 2” in height and 4” in length, this size allows children to build a nice looking animal that fits nicely into their small hands.
2. I also review the clay techniques and terms that they will need to know:  slip, scoring, pinching, adding air holes for proper drying, and the kiln. 

 Art Production:

1. The students were given enough clay to form two small balls of clay approximately 1 ½” in diameter and a small piece of extra clay to form the feet.  Score each end of the two balls of clay and using water and slip connect the two balls of clay to form the body of the animal.  When I begin to teach children how to construct clay pieces I always refer to scoring by its official name but also explain that it is like playing tic-tac-toe on the end of the clay piece, students may not remember the official name but they always remember tic-tac-toe.  Using the smaller piece of clay we roll it into two small balls of clay, taking the thumb and forefinger gently squish the ball between the fingers to form a small clay disc about the size of a Junior Mint.  Attach the feet under the head of the animal so that it appears that the animal is resting its head on its feet, remind students to use slip and to score the pieces to attach them.
    
2. Either pinch out the nose and eye area of the face or add features to the face using additional pieces of clay.  Children can also begin adding any details to the face that are required such as poking the eyes into the face, carving out the mouth, and any other details they would like to add.  I have students use a wooden stylus that is pointed on one end and flat on the other.  I find that this tool is very adequate for elementary students when sculpting with clay; they can use the pointed end to carve out features and the flat end to form nice round eyes.   
    
3. Give each child enough clay to add all of the detail that they require to develop the chunky animal’s ears, nose, tail, shell, and any other details that they would like to add.  Remind the students to adhere each piece of clay by using slip, scoring, and smoothing the piece into place so that it stays on during the drying and firing process. 
    
4. Because these animals are thicker than is recommended it is necessary to poke an air hole through the center of the animal.  I have found that by poking that hole from back to front the interior of the clay piece dries nicely and we do not have problems with them exploding in the kiln and of course I allow extra drying time prior to firing. 
    
5. After the animal has been fired the students are given their choice of tempera or acrylic paint to paint the animal and add all of the paint details that they desire and to then varnish the piece with a bit of water based varnish for added protection and shine.     

 Evaluation:  Teacher observation and record keeping.

© Christy Hartman 2007
www.chartmandesigns.com