Clay

Clay is a naturally occurring material composed of fine-grained minerals. Clay is a wonderful material to use in an elementary, or even adult, art classroom because it is malleable when wet and hardens when dried or fired (in a kiln). Students can easily mold the clay into a desired shape or form, and then let the clay dry, or have it placed in a kiln, to preserve their creation.

*important to remember that kilns are not scary!*

A good introduction to clay and sculpting is to speak of Alexander Calder and show photos or youtube videos of some of his creations.  Children will relate and are inclined to be interested in Calder's works because they are extravagant and colourful, and he is most famous for inventing the mobile (a structure that most children and likely very familiar with). 

Materials:

Alexander Calder photos and youtube videos ready for presentation, a wooden board or newspaper for each child to work on, enough clay to give each student a adequate amount to work with, slip (a mixture of clay and water to act as a glue for sticking sections of clay together)

* to take the project to further steps: a kiln, and paints*

Process:

1) Allow the students a couple minutes to play with and explore their piece of clay

2) Ask the students to make five different forms with their clay

3) Instruct the students to assemble these five forms to form a sculpture

4) Place a container of slip on each table or work station

5) Explain what slip is and how it can be used to help students form sculptures or other items they may wish to build with their clay

6) Instruct the students to use their clay to make a structure, object, or whatever creation they wish to make to be dried (either through air drying or in a kiln if available)

* after their objects are dry the students may wish to paint them and take them home*

Technical terms and definitions

Sculpture: A three-dimensional artwork created by shaping, manipulation, or combining hard materials. Can be made from stone, ice, clay, glass, wood, and many other materials. 

Kiln: An insulated chamber, or over, to which a specific temperature can be applied. Used to harden, burn, or dry materials. 

Slip: A mixture of water and clay to produce a ceramic ware. Used to join sections of unfired ware (aka. helps to stick sections of your sculpture together, acts like a glue) .