So far so good... This is the first time I am trying this bug project. I learned how to teach it off from 'The Clay Lady's DVD. We are drying the bugs right now... I can't wait to see them out of the kiln and finished.
Student needed a clay mat, (I use plastic bags so we can toss them out after used, I'm allergic to cay dust and this cuts down on old dust in the room) 1/18th of a 25 lb. bag of clay, and a wooden clay tool.
The kids take their piece and split it in two. They slap the two balls of clay into slabs to the thickness of a double stuffed oreo (clay lady phrase). I wish you could hear the noise of the whole class banging their slabs down.
The kids cut the clay into the shape of their hands. Their hands are bigger then the clay so they don't have to fit their whole hand on the clay. Just get the fingers. With the scrap clay they put it back into a ball and slap it back into a slab. Hands are placed together (they must overlap) and the new clay slab set on the hands. They bring this part back to me to 'stomp on their bug'.
Here is the kids 'stomping the bugs' by me so I can watch he pressure. They then place it on a disposable bowl.
The 'legs' have to all be sitting on the edge of the bowl. I place the names on one of the legs before it was dry.
A BIG thanks to Danielle McDaniel or 'The Clay Lady'! This is off from her lesson plan DVD. There is a lot great ideas and new ways to think about clay on this DVD!
I love the BUGS, and I bet your students LOVED stomping them! Great idea - you have inspired me to check out The Clay Lady website. Are you going to "paint"/"glaze" them before you bisque fire them?
ReplyDeleteWOW! These are fabulous. Where's the picture of the overzealous kid who stomped on it too hard??? I'm going to try it though! Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteI plan to glaze paint these. They take up a lot of room in the kiln. I have a spray that I plan to try for a gloss finish just on the body. I'll post them when I get them all finished. Thanks for the GREAT comments!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I love creating pottery with the kids and will try this! Great fun! Sax Colorburst glazes would be fun with these. Thanks again for another great idea!
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Oh this is TOO much fun. I've been searching for something really special for my third graders and now I've found it! Sleep well knowing there's a little group of third graders in Vermont who love you! Thanks for sharing.
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ReplyDeleteBarbra... Thanks! I love to share and get ideas. It is fun to 'colleges'! I'm a one person department and this is just the best to share ideas with others like me. I'll have some updates on the project... remember it was my 1st time doing this project and I already have some changes I will do next time... Keep check'n in
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! My daughter is in 3rd grade and she's already doing some clay forming stuff. I'm glad to have found your blog!
ReplyDeleteThis is very cute project...which will be treasured by many a mom!
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute. I use air dry clay (sadly,no kiln) and don't think it's strong enough for this, but I could give it a try. We have made shoe-prints in smaller clay pieces (about the size of a quarter) that we poke a hole into, and then string into necklaces, key chains, etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm a one person art department too, so you're right, it's great to be able to share ideas.
I love Danielle! She is a close friend of mine. I use all her products and projects and get such great results! I'm planning on doing these bugs this year! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteOh! Becca, Danielle seems like a great person from meeting her once. What a great thing to have wonderful, creative friends!
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