Acrylic Paint, 6 Count
Air Dry Clay 1.13 kg WhiteStudents will be able to:
- Create a clay hanging basket;
- Use different textures to add variety to their work;
- Use contrast to create areas of emphasis;
- Demonstrate technical accomplishment; and
- Support their ideas with evidence found in the works.
SOMETHING FOR MOTHER – Clay Hanging Basket
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Steps
Step One
Take a small ball of clay about the size of a tennis ball. Flatten it onto a piece of wax paper with your fingers and the palm of your hand. Next use a rolling pin or dowel to roll it into a smooth slab about .75 cm (1/4 in) thick. The wax paper will keep the clay from sticking to the table.
Step Two
Fold a piece of copy paper in half. Cut out a heart shape that will fit your slab.
Step Three
Place the paper pattern on the clay slab.
Step Four
Use the pin tool to cut out the heart.
Step Five
Poll out a smaller slab the same way you made the first one. Cut out a smaller heart from the original pattern.
Step Six
Cut out the smaller heart. Make a small oval slab of clay. Use the pin tool to score the back of the shape.
Step Seven
Score the spot on the small heart where you will be joining the small oval shape. Brush slip onto the surface of the oval.
Step Eight
Add details using various textures and tools. Remember to score and slip every time you add pieces of clay.
Step Nine
Place the small heart onto the larger heart. Use the pin tool to mark where the small heart will join the larger heart. Remove the small heart.
Step Ten
Score the places where the two pieces of clay will be joined. Apply slip to the scored areas.
Step Eleven
Crumple up a small ball of wax paper.
Step Twelve
Place the crumpled up wax paper on the large heart and place the small heart on top of it. The wax paper will support the small heart while it dries.
Step Thirteen
Join the two pieces of clay together, gently pushing the edges into each other.
Step Fourteen
Use the tip of a pencil to make two holes at the top of the heart shape for the ribbon or string. Allow the clay to dry for about one week.
Step Fifteen
When the clay is dry paint it with acrylic paint.
Step Sixteen
Add a ribbon or string and some dried or silk flowers to complete the gift.
Learning Goals
Extensions
- Have students create a gift card using a printmaking technique, for example the technique found on this website at
Happy Easter - Encourage them to write a note explaining how their mother, or the person receiving the gift, is special to them.
Prepare
- Prior to this lesson you may want to have students explore clay techniques with the Score and Slip lesson on this website
Score and Slip - Make a batch of slip, enough for groups of students to share.
- Have students make pin tools by taping an open paper clip to the end of a pencil.
- Gather some books about Mother's Day, for example, A Gift for Mama, by Linda Ravin Lodding, How to Babysit a Grandma, by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish, The Day I Lost My Superpowers, by Michaël Escoffier and Kris Di Giacomo, Someday, by Alison McGhee,
Introduction
- Discuss gift giving in general. Why and when do we give gifts? How do we choose the gifts we give? What are some of their favourite gifts? Read one of the books to connect with the idea of generosity.
- Brainstorm reasons to give mothers gifts, and ways students like to celebrate Mother's Day with their moms or special caregivers.
- Introduce the challenge
Activities
The Challenge
- Create a clay hanging basket.
- Use different textures to add variety to your work.
- Use contrast to create areas of emphasis.
- Demonstrate technical accomplishment.
- Support your ideas with evidence found in the works.
The Process
- Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
- Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
- Encourage students to think of how they can use contrast to create areas of emphasis.
- Encourage students to always join clay using the score and slip technique.
- Observe students as they work.
- Provide individual assistance and encouragement.
Sharing
- Place students in groups of about 6.
- Ask them to share thoughts about the works.
- During the discussion include references to:
- Colour - How does the colour create contrast and emphasis?
- Texture – How does texture add to the overall effect of the design?
- Technical Accomplishment - How does attention to detail contribute to technical accomplishment? - Ask volunteers to share some ideas with the whole class.
Assessment
- Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting
- Observe students as they discuss the art works – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - CLAY_tracking.pdf)
- Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads - CLAY_self-assessment.pdf)
