Curated OER
Molded Clay Faces
Artists create clay masks using pre-formed molds, clay, glitter, feathers, gems, and paint. The expressive qualities of clay are perfect for creating many different types of face masks, from Mardi Gras glitter to Japanese Kabuki to...
Curated OER
Crazy Clay
Learners complete an Internet scavenger hunt to observe some background information on clay animation. They read the question on the web site and then click on the link to discover the answer. Then they create their own clay animation...
University of Alaska
Clay Model Earth
What a great way to incorporate hands-on learning while teaching about the earth's layers. The class observes an overhead transparency (linked in Included Materials) as they create their own model Earth using different colors of clay....
Curated OER
Amazing Marbleized Clay Pots
Students discover information about different colors of natural clay, finding that mineral composition has its effect on the color of different clays. They simulate the varied colors of organic clays to create a marbleized dish suitable...
Lee County High School
Clay Animal Whistles
Investigate North Carolina pottery history by creating clay animal whistles, a traditional leisure activity in the region. They research a particular animal and jot down its attributes to include in their project. Find step-by-step...
Dick Blick Art Materials
Pop Art Clay Portraits
Create the classic Andy Warhol mass-produced image using clay slabs. Explore the pop art movement using image transfer techniques. This project incorporates art history as well as multiple clay tools. The finished product is an...
Tasha McKelvey
Clay Whistles
Create clay whistles with your elementary or middle school students. The project is outlined in great detail here, complete with step-by-step photographs, finished examples, a materials list, student handouts, and a rubric. Students...
Curated OER
Visual Art - Creating a Clay Pinch Pot
Sixth graders inspect various clay pots. They create their own pots and paint them in the horror vacui design.
Curated OER
The Election Is in the House: Was There a Corrupt Bargain?
Students take a stand, supported by evidence, on whether there was a "corrupt bargain" between Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams.
Canton Museum of Art
Personal Clay Box
High schoolers will love this geometrically exact ceramics project; they create a personalized clay box using the slab method and mathematical measurements. They utilize scoring and square construction and can decorate the boxes to...
Curated OER
Clay Sculpture: Relationships
Students explore art history by conducting an in-class activity. In this sculpting lesson, students examine previously created art sculptures in a textbook. Students utilize clay, sculpting tools and grey paper to create their own...
Curated OER
Activity: Float a Clay Boat
Written to introduce pupils to buoyancy, this activity has collaborative groups work to design a floatable clay boat. They first observe that a stick of clay sinks in water and then are given their own stick to reshape into a floating...
Curated OER
Developing Contrast Through Clay Construction
High schoolers combine forms made with different construction techniques in order to create and enhance the element of contrast in clay compositions.
Curated OER
Incan Artifacts - Clay Pottery Lesson
Students study Incan artifacts found at an online database and create samples using clay pottery and paint.
Curated OER
Ceramic Owls
Young scholars creat owls through the use of slabs of clay with pinched beak and tufts. They use a clay tool or nail to add shape to mak wings. Students use shells, and other items to create texture. After the creations have dried, young...
Curated OER
Pottery with Artist Kerry Moosman
After watching a video of Native American artist Maria Martinez create art out of clay, learners will create burnished coil pots similar to those made by artist, Kerry Moosman. This lesson plan includes a supply list, web links,...
Curated OER
Coil Vessels with Symbols
Eighth graders explore symbolism in Renaissance art, use ceramics vocabulary, and demonstrate craftsmanship in working with clay.
Curated OER
Geometry Vases: Ceramics Lesson
Geometric shapes are used in math and in art. Learners discuss the various names, dimensions, and attributes of geometric shapes, then apply that knowledge to design a vase. They use 3-D shapes to make a cubist-style vase out of clay.
Curated OER
African Clay Masks
Learners create a clay mask with African characteristics. They discuss what masks are used for. They draw a picture of their own African mask. They apply features to their masks by scoring and applying slip.
Curated OER
The Chemistry of Ceramics
Students compare the characteristics of a fired porcelain sculpture to the clay used to create it. They discuss the physical and chemical changes that occur in the clay as it is heated and then create their own clay sculpture. This...
Curated OER
Clay Animations
Students create short animated films using clay figures, digital video cameras, and the computer program iMovie. In this lesson, students work cooperatively in small groups to maximize success.
Curated OER
Mosaic Tiles
Elementary schoolers create a mosaic project. This simple art lesson produces big results! The tile mosaics are beautiful, and will be cherished by the young artists who create them, and their parents. These are the kind of projects that...
Curated OER
Cast Handmade Paper
Upper graders make cast handmade paper. This is another beautifully-designed art instructional activity from this source which will produce fabulous results. The process behind the paper making is relatively simple. The challenge is...
Curated OER
Horse Character: Ceramics Lesson
Animals oftentimes elicit various characteristics which make them symbolic or representative of human feeling, action, or emotion. The class creates horse characters out of clay to show character action and symbolism. This is a great...