3rd - 5th Grade American Pies

"American traditions are based upon the many things our large and varied country provides. A generous slice of clay “pie” contains symbols of each child’s favorite things — family, hometowns, friends and a country of heroes. They reflect the past, present and future."

Lesson from Dick Blick

KDG - 2nd Grade Students Building Coil Bowls

3rd - 5th Grade Calaveras

Clay club

Glazing our projects!

Clay Club -- Coil Faces

2nd - 4th grade clay club students used coils to create a unique face.  We discussed how the face could be symmetrical or asymmetrical.  Here are some examples:

Session III Clay Clubs

Clay Club (K – 1st) Min 5/Max 15
Thursdays ~ 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. the weeks of Apr. 4 – May 23 (8 classes)

Clay Club (2nd – 5th) Min 5/Max 15
Fridays ~ 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. the weeks of Jan. 11 – Mar. 15 (7 classes)
No class: Friday, Apr. 26

The clay club age groups have swapped days.

Mann Power registration begins Sunday, March 3 at 2PM and ends Friday, March 15 at 3PM
https://d97pto.wufoo.com/forms/mannpower-session-iii-20122013/

Mann Power Registration Guide
http://gallery.mailchimp.com/dc6141732ac4f553a2d4d090a/files/Mann_Power_Session_III_2012_2013_program_guide.pdf

Clay Club Friday's -- Coil Hearts

Clay Club Thursday's -- Ceramic Castles

Clay Club Friday's -- Fish

Our kindergarten and 1st grade clay club students have been working on fish the last two weeks. They began this project with a slab of clay, which was made with our slab roller. Some students used a fish template to create their fish silhouette, others free-handed it. Once the fish silhouette was drawn, it was then cut from the clay. The students then used modeling tools to create details on the fish. After the bisque firing, the fish were glazed with the student's choice of colors. Here are some finished pieces!

Clay Club Thursday's -- Bowls

During the last two weeks, the 2nd - 4th graders have been working on bowls in our clay club. They started the project out by making a nice thin slab. Some used rolling pins, and others tried out the slab roller. We were able to use textured rubbing plates on top of the clay to add texture. The students then used a circular object to cut out a circle from their slab. They then laid their new circular piece of clay over a styrofoam bowl to dry. Some added a foot to the bottom of their bowl as well. We glazed our bowls the following week and now they are ready to take home!

Clay Club -- Great Horned Owls

Today in clay we learned about the Great Horned Owl. The students also learned how to create a simple slab by rolling a ball of clay and flattening it with our hands. Some of the students even took it a step further and used a rolling pin! We used clay tools and markers to create the owl features and textures. Next week we will glaze these owls!

Clay Club -- Sesame Street Muppets

Today the clay club students received their Sesame Street muppets back. Last week they choose glaze colors that matched their muppet, or some decided to use different colors not normally seen on that particular muppet.
Great job!

Clay Club -- Sesame Street Muppets

For our next building project, the students created Sesame Street muppets. There are so many unique characters on Sesame Street, so I thought it would be a great chance for the students to learn about clay, but to also have a lot of fun creating their pieces. Some of the things that we discussed were: pinch pots, scoring, slipping, modeling, and use of tools. The students started off by created a pinch pot. From there they added eyes and other features specific to their muppet. We made sure that everything was securely attached by scoring and slipping. These will go into the kiln for a bisque fire and we will glaze them next week!

Clay Club -- Finished Pumpkins

The pumpkins have now been fired for a second time. Now the colors are much more vibrant and the appearance is very shiny. Great job guys!

No Clay Club 10/19/12

Clay Club -- Glazing Pumpkins

Today our clay club students received their pumpkins.  Our pumpkins have been fired since our last class and are ready to be glazed.  We discussed the differences in the clay color and how they are hard like rocks.  Today's class was centered around glazing the pumpkins.  As a group, we discussed what glaze is, what types of glaze there are, how we use glaze, and the effects that glaze can have.  Students learned what "to do" and what "not to do" when using glaze.  Students also learned extensively how glaze is different than paint. From there they chose colors of glaze to layer onto their pumpkins. We weren't able to get all three coats of glaze on our pumpkins today, so next week we will continue to finish them. 

Clay Club -- Building Pumpkins

Today in clay club, kindergarten and 1st grade students learned many different clay terms and techniques.  We started our project with terracotta clay and split our chunk into two pieces.  From there we took one piece and shaped it into a ball.  The students learned about the pinch pot technique and applied it to the clay.  We repeated the same steps to create our second pinch pot.  Now the students had a pot and lid for their pumpkin.  The students then used additional clay to create stems for their pumpkin.  They also used various tools to created texture into the pumpkin.  Next week these pumpkins will be fired and ready to glaze!  Stay tuned.

Clay Club Fridays

Clay (K-1st) Min 5/Max 15
By Mr Schmidt
Fridays ~ 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. the weeks of Oct. 5 – Dec. 14 (9 classes)
No class: Friday, Oct. 19 & Nov. 23
Held in the Art Room
Explore the qualities of clay as you create. All materials included.
Cost: $65