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Egyptian Pyramid STEAM Lesson: Art Ed Blogger’s Network

Art Ed Blogger's Network collage featuring "STEAM" and various art tools like brushes, scissors, and a cutting mat, showcasing a creative Art Education approach.

How does ART fit into STEM?

STEAM:  Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math

This month’s Art Ed Blogger’s Network topic is STEAM.  How do art teachers approach STEAM in the classroom?  Should art teachers embrace STEAM?

There are many different opinions on STEAM.  Personally, I like to bring in different subjects to the art room.  I think it’s great that so many of our art projects involve other disciplines.  However, I also think art for arts sake is important too.  Let’s not lose sight of how important ART is on its own, in favor of more acronyms to justify art class’s existence.

Like I said earlier, as art teachers, we are always incorporating other subjects in our lessons.  Here is a great lesson that is very successful and popular with students.  It involves architecture, engineering, art, social studies and math.

Seven vibrant clay pyramids, each uniquely decorated, labeled "Clay Pyramids" and "Egyptian Art Connection," showcase a blend of creativity and culture.

Egyptian Pyramids in Clay and Paper

My 4th/5th grade class studied ancient Egypt.  Egypt has so many amazing types of art, including jewelry, paintings, sculptures, sarcophagi and more.  We learned about these forms of art and also the architectural pyramids of ancient Egypt.  Then, the students had a chance to make their own clay pyramids.

First, the students practiced with a paper pyramid printout to color, cut and assemble.

A pyramid-shaped craft featuring a cat drawing on one side and a smiling face with "happy" written on another.

We used a paper template like this one.

Three decorated paper pyramids; front with a cat face, left with an eye, and right with faces labeled "Sad" and "Mad." Ideal for an Art Education project or incorporating into a STEAM Lesson about Egyptian Pyramids.

After they made some paper pyramids as practice, we used a similar template to construct our clay pyramids…. except they were made from clay.

Two small, brightly colored ceramic pyramid sculptures with assorted designs and shapes, ideal for enhancing an art education curriculum or sparking interest in a STEAM lesson.

We used a similar paper template, except I enlarged the shapes a bit.  They really only need to have one paper square and one paper triangle that fits together (because they can trace the one triangle multiple times.)

1. Roll out a flat slab of clay.  Place the paper square on top of the clay.  Trace around it and cut out.

A person working with clay, using a carving tool and a rolling pin, hands wearing a black watch on a green sleeve.

2. Do the same with the triangles.  You will need 4 triangles if you have a square base.

A round piece of gray clay with a paper template resting on it; cutting lines are marked on the clay.

3.   Take all of the clay pieces and begin to assemble them together.  Be sure to “score” each edge and add water (or slip) to the pieces as you secure them together.  Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to smooth the edges together.   Use a knife to cut the top of the pyramid off to create a “lid” if you want to make it into a container.

Close-up of hands sculpting an Egyptian Pyramid structure on a fabric-covered surface, ideal for an engaging STEAM lesson.

4.  Finally, use carving tools or stamps to add texture and designs to your pyramids.  Print off some hieroglyph sheets to use for ideas.

Children's hands sculpt clay pyramids using tools and a bag of tiles on a wooden table.  A person sculpting an Egyptian Pyramid out of clay as part of an art education project. The person works on a small Egyptian pyramid made of clay, with a similar smaller pyramid next to it on the table.

5.  After firing in a kiln, use clay glazes to add color or additional designs.

A child painting a clay sculpture on a piece of newspaper with other clay figures in the background, as part of an Art Ed and STEAM lesson.

Here are some student examples.

Seven vibrant clay pyramids, each uniquely decorated, labeled "Clay Pyramids" and "Egyptian Art Connection," showcase a blend of creativity and culture.

Three handmade, colorful ceramic pyramids with unique patterns and glazing on a white surface, inspired by the artistry of Egyptian pyramids. Three colorful Egyptian clay pyramids with decorative engravings, displayed on a white surface. Two ceramic pyramids: one painted with a cat and flower, the other with a textured surface, both on a white background. Colorful handmade clay pyramids, each uniquely decorated with various patterns and designs, arranged on a white surface.

I love how they are all different and have their own unique expressive elements.. this middle one was a rainbow “poop” emoji pyramid.  He wanted to make his with coils.

Three colorful, ceramic pyramids with various designs and hole cutouts, displayed on a white background. Ideal for incorporating into an Art Education project or STEAM Lesson.

Discover four colorful ceramic pyramids perfect for an engaging STEAM lesson or art education. They include two blue, one with a blue and yellow quartered pattern, and another with striking red and yellow halves.

Handmade clay pyramids featuring colorful, painted designs with animals, symbols, and abstract shapes.

This month, The Art Ed Blogger’s Network is writing about STEAM/Art Integration. Join us on the first Tuesday each month for new projects, ideas, and inspiration.

Participating Art Teacher Blogs:


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About Marcia Beckett

Marcia is an elementary art teacher and loves painting, drawing, sculpture, art journaling and clay. Her blog, Art is Basic, features many exciting art projects for kids.

2 Responses to Egyptian Pyramid STEAM Lesson: Art Ed Blogger’s Network

  1. Pingback: The Art of an Idea: Math and Art Integration with Sol LeWitt's Instruction

  2. Pingback: 23 Pyramid-Inspired Activity Ideas  - Teaching Expertise

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