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In Art class we are working on an Earth clay project with all grades. Students first draw the design for their clay piece and what they want it to look like. Then at the next art period we will practice it with oil based clay. This way students can figure out how they will actually make the project when they come in for the next class. When they do come in and we do use earth clay we go over how to score into the clay and add slip and blend the clay to stick two pieces together. We also talk about where the earth clay comes from (the ground) and how it gets to our school so they get to use it. After it is finished, it dries for one week (this is the greenware stage) then I will put it in the kiln at North and fire all of the little sculptures. When they are done (this is the bisque stage), students use glaze to make them shiny and to help seal the clay and make it stronger. Then I will fire them again and this is the final step. Finally, the students get to take them home!
Every grade level is doing a different project and they each get more advanced as the years go on:
Kindergarten - Birds/Nests
1st Grade - A 4-legged Animal
2nd Grade - Full Figured Self-Portrait doing their Favorite Acitivity
Students can prepare for this project by using clay they may have at home (play-doh works wonderfully) or by drawing more ideas for their clay project - not just going with the first one they drew.
I would also like to remind parents about Artsonia and how 15% of purchases made from that website comes back to our school to benefit the art program. If parents have lost their child's key code or Artsonia name they can contact me through email or send a note with their child!
Thanks,
Lacey Job, Art Teacher |