Clay

 

Description: Students began this project by wedging the clay, which involved kneading, slamming, and slapping the clay to remove air bubbles and make it more pliable. After the clay was properly wedged, students used rolling pins and wooden pieces to roll out their clay into an even slab. Once the clay was prepared, we all agreed on a flower design and chose between making rolls for the flower petals as borders or cutting out individual petals and molding them together. After arranging the flower petals flat on the table, we carefully picked up the design and placed it in a bowl, gently shaping it to give the flower a curved, three-dimensional look, mimicking the natural form of a blooming flower.

Extension Activity: To further explore the art of clay, students will create an entire flower garden using the techniques they learned in the previous project. They will design and create multiple clay flowers, each with different shapes, sizes, and colors. Students can experiment with new methods of forming petals, leaves, and stems, incorporating more complex textures or patterns. Once all the flowers are completed, they will arrange them in a creative way on a piece of board or tray to create a three-dimensional "garden." To complete the project, students can paint or glaze their flowers to add color and shine. Afterward, they will present their clay flower gardens to the class, explaining their design choices and how they used different techniques to create their flowers.