Clay Activites

Clay Ideas & Pictures

(Most pictures were found on Pinterest - You can find a link on my "Clay" board on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/msiems/preschool-clay-work/  and Panther's Palette http://pantherspalette.blogspot.com/search/label/Clay)

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Poem: 

Can be used as an inspiration or to go along with documentation

Clay Fossils
(http://pantherspalette.blogspot.com/)

Students flattened a ball of red clay before using various objects (leaves, twigs, seashells, toy dinosaurs, etc.) to create impressions.

After the clay had dried, students painted their fossils with watered down black and brown tempera paint. Paper towels were used to rub the clay to create a "dirty" look to help the fossil look more realistic.

    When students finished making their fossil they observed their work and created a quick sketch.

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   Clay Coil Pots

    (http://pantherspalette.blogspot.com/)

   Create clay pots by roiling coils! Each student starts by flattening a ball of clay for the bottom of their pot.

    Pieces of clay were pinched off of a larger ball of clay, rolled into coils and attached to build pots. Remember to use slip to make the clay stick after it dries. 

   Let dry for several days then paint.

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Clay Textured Disks
(http://pantherspalette.blogspot.com/2012/02/1st-grade-clay-textured-disks.html)

   To flatten clay show the students how to carefully throw their ball of clay on the table to flatten it. Use your hands to smooth the clay and water to erase any cracks.

   Students used various materials like marker lids, toothpicks, dry noodles and rubber stamps.

   

   Let dry, paint, and add string.

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   Clay Pinch Pots

   (http://pantherspalette.blogspot.com/search?q=pinched+clay)

    Use a little water to smooth out cracks and then added textures to the pots with various tools.  Paint after it is dried.

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    Clay Turtles

    (http://pantherspalette.blogspot.com/search?q=clay+turtles)

      Make a pinch pot out of clay first, and then added a head and legs with balls of clay. Remember to use clay slip to make the clay stick after it dries.  Pinch the clay for a tail and add textures with clay tools.  

   If you don’t have tools use popsicle sticks, marker caps and tooth picks. Paint turtles after clay dries. 

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   All About Me

   An extension to self portraits: represent themselves with clay

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    Leaves:

     Use clay to represent leaves. 

   Make leaf prints to add to your science center.

   Use wax paper under the clay to be able to peel off easily. 

   Take a real leaf that has been flattened and rub it with the back of a spoon onto the clay with the veins face down.  Gently peel of the leaf.  (don’t use dry brittle leaves – only fresh)  Let dry & paint.

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    Clay Bead Necklaces

    After viewing glass beads and observing their shapes students can make their own beads.  Will use previously learned skills like making balls and rolling clay.  Need to make the bead big enough to be able to make a hole through it. 

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    Plastic Animals & People

   Add plastic animals and/or people to create habitats. Clay is used to create a habitat.  Any animals can be used as inspiration.

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    Natural Materials

   Natural materials like: leaves, acorns, sticks, plants / flowers, feathers, seeds, rocks, etc. can be a great provocation.

   Great for 3D art