(See my "new and improved" version of this project here.) Dia De Los Muertos (or Day of the Dead, November 1-2) is one of my favorite holidays…. I love the colorful imagery and the focus on honoring loved ones who have died. So when one of my students requested that we do a ‘Sugar Skull’ project in ceramics class, I was all for it! I assumed I could find a plethora of Ceramic … [Read more...]
Clay Pumpkins
This Clay Pumpkin lesson just might be the perfect seasonal project for fall! It teaches several important techniques for working in clay and also makes a charming take-home gift that will be enjoyed for years to come! Students in grades 3 and up can be successful when you follow these simple steps…. Materials: 3 balls of clay, two the size of baseballs and one the size … [Read more...]
Art for the Differently-abled
I wasn’t looking for a new teaching position when I got the phone call last spring to “just let me show you our facility”. The call was from the director of the Stroke and Disability Learning Center at our local Community College, and I agreed to a tour. It wasn't the beautiful new facility that hooked me, but the Stroke Center’s motto: “Love Spoken Here”, printed on the … [Read more...]
Animal Sculpture with Air-Dry Clay
Kids LOVE using clay, maybe more than any other art medium, yet most schools and homes do not have a kiln for firing. If this is your situation, don't let this stop you from sharing the experience of working with clay with your students! Crayola Air Dry Clay is a good alternative to the traditional clay that requires kiln firing. We used the art of French sculptor Francois … [Read more...]
Art Demo ~ Crayola Model Magic
Here are a few scary (and sadly, out of focus!) monsters from a product demo I did yesterday for Crayola, using their Model Magic modeling material. These imaginative creatures were created by an 8 year old boy who couldn't get enough of this stuff!Before being asked to teach this demo, I always thought Model Magic was more of a pre-school type of thing, but after spending a … [Read more...]
“Catch of the Day” – Ceramic Fish
Clay fish platter by AllisonKids love clay! There's just something about getting your hands covered with mud that kids can't resist! Clay is a great medium for learning about texture and form, and its possibilities are endless. Here are my directions for this fun fish platter.... a perfect summer project!Directions:1. Draw a fun fish design on a piece of 9x12 construction … [Read more...]