Lesson Plan Title: Clay Coil Sculptures – By Katie Temple
Materials: clay, tablecloths, squirt bottle of water, your hands!
Grade: K-8
Vocabulary: coil-building, three-dimensional, weight, balance
Objectives:
- Learn how to create coils out of clay that are consistent in width.
- Utilize coil-building techniques to create a three-dimensional form out of clay.
- Consider balance and weight as key factors in creating tall, three-dimensional sculpture.
Directions:
- Give each student a softball-sized chunk of clay
- Demonstrate how to create coils out of clay that are consistent in width. Depending on class size, demonstrate at each table.
- Have each student create coils out of all of their clay.
- Once students run out of clay, explain how they will be working in their table groups to see which team can create the tallest, coil sculpture in the remaining time.
- Explain rules: 1. Must be made out of coils 2. Must be hallow, cannot be soild 3. Has to stand on its own
- Competition time! Walk around and help groups with making coils. If a group runs out of clay, be sure to give the other groups the same amount of clay
- Once time runs out, measure each sculpture or stand them by each other so everyone can see them
- After reflection time, have student destroy sculptures, place in ball, and hand back to instructor.
Reflection: Why is one sculpture taller than another? Whose coils are the most consistent in width? Which sculpture is the most organic?
Support:
- How to coil-build with clay
- http://www.lakesidepottery.com/Pages/Pottery-tips/Making-a-clay-coiled-pot-Lakeside-Pottery-Tutorial.htm
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgYJvbQgb40
- Download a copy of this Lesson Plan: