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Instructional Objective:
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The students will develop
a three dimensional sculpture based on their knowledge of structures
and functions.
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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:
- Design a clay sculpture
based on an actual animal.
- Build the animal based
on hand building techniques.
- Paint the piece using
tempera or acrylic paints.
Project Introduction:
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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Chunky Clay Animal Elephant |
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Chunky Clay Animals Together |
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Chunky Clay Animal Turtle |
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© Christy
Hartman 2007
www.chartmandesigns.com |
