Clay Bells
I did an after school clay class with kids in grades K-6
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Category Archives: first grade
Clay Viking Ships
To complement their study of explorers, the Primaries made clay Viking ships. We started by rolling a flat slab of clay with a rolling pin and then cutting out the bottom of the boat. Next, we rolled coils of clay to build up the walls. Finally, students could choose to add a dragon head to the ship and shields. We painted a fabric sail while the clay projects dried. After these were fired in the kiln, we painted them with … Read more…
Finished Pocket Pots
Here are a few of the final glazed pocket pots. Kids were in grades K-6. It was an afterschool class. For full directions, see earlier post about this project. Yay! I love them!
Scrap Faces
To connect with the Science, the Primaries are learning about how artists can use recycled and cast off materials to make art. We are watching a video about an artist who goes to the scrap and junkyard to find art materials. We are making our own mask made out of scraps: bottle caps, wood pieces, plastic parts. Reading Rainbow Stay Away From the Junkyard hilarious! We used these donated medicine lids.
Complementary Color Quilt Paintings.
Complementary Color Quilt Paintings1st Grade Key Concepts: What are quilts? What are complementary colors? What are patterns? We previously had done a fabric quilt square and I wanted to tie this project into their study of quilts already. We learned about the color wheel and complementary colors. The 1st graders chose a pair to paint their square. I had pre-drawn the rectangular rings around the center with pencil. They painted them in with alternating complementary colors. The next class period, … Read more…
Contour Line Shells
The second graders learned about contour line drawing and observed the qualities of seashells (to complement their studies of shorelines in Science). We also looked at the scientific illustrations of shells by this artist:
Fabric Quilts
Primary Quilt Squares Why do people make quilts? How can a quilt tell the history of a family? Can a quilt be art? What is a pattern? The Primaries discussed these questions and viewed pictures of quilts. In Science class, the kids are learning about properties and attributes. How do you observe things? How do you use your 5 senses to learn more? You can use your eyes to see and your fingers to feel these quilts. You can describe … Read more…
Alphabet Art from the First Graders
What is a focal point? How do artists arrange their composition? What is emphasis? How have words and letters been used in art? These are some of the questions the Primaries explored in their first unit. We looked at the art of Stuart Davis by viewing a slideshow. The Primaries created a work of art using letters and numbers. They choose one letter or number to use as the focal point and then surrounded it with other letters and … Read more…
Primary Self-Portraits and Machinery Drawings
I started out the year with the Primary students (1st grade) drawing small, quick self portraits. One kid drew himself as a pirate! lol. The 4/5s (4th/5th graders mixed) looked at gears and drew them from observation. I also had pictures of gears and machinery for them to look at. I showed them basic steps to add shading and value. After they had drawn 3+ gears, I told them that we would be turning them into inventions. We had things … Read more…
Weaving Camp Part 6
3rd graders’ burlap weaving with feathers Burlap weaving made by 4 year old Weaving on BurlapWeaving camp has been over for a couple of months now and I’m finally getting around to updating the last of the lessons I taught for the camp. Just a refresher, the weaving camp was for kids going into kindergarten to about 3rd grade. Each day focused on a different type of weaving and kids could sign up for one day or all of the … Read more…
Clay Camp for Kids– Week Three– Birds in a Nest
Here are some of the things we have been working on during clay camp for kids. The kids are going into kindergarten-6th grade. Week 3 I taught the little ones (entering K-3) how to make pinch pots for birds’ nests and then how to form a bird. All of our projects will be painted next week. This is a good project for learning how to make pinch pots. First make a pinch pot with a couple of eggs in it. … Read more…
Weaving Wonders Camp Part 5
Weaving on Straws Here is a really fun and addicting way to weave… on plastic drinking straws! There’s no reason to re-write all the directions out, so here is a link to how to weave on straws. If you get stuck, there are plenty of websites with full directions and even videos… simply google “weaving on straws.” With this project, I set up the straws ahead of time for the kids. (There were only about 6 or 7 kids … Read more…
Clay Camp for Kids– Week Two
We are having a great time at the summer Clay Camp for kids that I taught in DeForest, WI. The second week we made clay monsters. To make a monster, first, start by making a pinch pot. See this website for a demo of pinch pots if you are not sure how. Next, gently squish the pinch pot so it is slightly flattened. Turn the pinch pot on its side and add teeth, eyes, legs, feet, horns, ears, nose, tongue … Read more…
Weaving Wonders Part 3
Paper Weaving. One of the projects I did with the kids for my Weaving Wonders Camp was Paper Weaving. Paper weaving is, of course, one of the first and most basic types of weaving. Kids in kindergarten, first or second grade will often complete paper weavings as introduction to weaving. Preparation: Gather fancy scrapbook paper, with patterns, bright colors and maybe even glitter. Add some solid colors if you wish. Cut strips on a paper cutter, approximately 1/2-1 inch … Read more…
Clay Camp for Kids- Week One
This summer I have also been teaching a clay class for kids through the DeForest parks and recreation dept. It is only 6 sessions, one hour each session. I have 2 groups of kids: K-3, then 4-7 (roughly, there are some overlaps). Some of the weeks I am teaching the same projects and other weeks we are doing different projects. The first week we made leaf dishes. They are very simple and a good way to teach about rolling slabs. … Read more…