5th Grade Clay – Lesson Plan

SLAB POTS WITH LIDS: FIFTH GRADE CLAY

Materials:   

• clay (1 1/2 pounds)
• Rolling pins
• Plastic knives and forks (clay tools will also work)
• Toothpicks
• ¼ inch leveling sticks for rolling the clay to keep it even
• Slip
• Freezer paper as a work board.
• 9 x 2 ½ inch templates for the main body of the pot
• 5 x ¾ inch templates for the coil top of the lid
• Tuna cans for the lid and the bottom of the pot
• Tomato paste can for the underside of the lid 

Preparation: (Day 1)

1. Give each student a work board (table and paper) and a wedge of clay.  Cover the clay with a wet paper towel so it does not dry out during your demonstration of the project.
2. Give each student a roller, 2 – 1/4 inch sticks, a toothpick, and a plastic knife.
3. Set on the table to share: tuna cans and tomato paste cans, slip, templates (small and large)

Directions for clay cutting: (Day 1)

1. Shape clay in a thick snake shape.   Roll the clay between the sticks with a rolling pin to keep it an even ¼ inch thickness.  Keep rolling the clay until it stretches out enough to fit the large rectangle pattern.  This will be the main body of the pot.   Cut out the large rectangle using the template as a pattern.
2. If there is extra room on the clay slab, cut out the small rectangle pattern using the small pattern, otherwise re-roll the clay to make another slab for the small pattern.
3. After the rectangle patterns are cut out, re-roll the clay into another slab ¼ inch thick.  This will be for the circles needed for the bottom of the pot and the lid.  Use the cans like a cookie cutter and cut out 2 large circles with the tuna can and 1 small circle with the tomato paste can.  Now you have all the pieces for the pot and are ready to assemble it.

Directions for assembling the pot: (Day 1)

1. Use a plastic knife to wedge the edge of the main body of the pot on the right end.  Hold the knife at an angle while you slice off the very end of the clay slab.  Then pick up the slab, turn it over, and do the same thing to the other end of the clay slab so the two ends fit together snuggly.  Use the slip and gently smooth out the seams on the inside, outside, top and bottom of the main body of the pot.
2. Now you will put the main body on the base of the pot.  Score (roughing area up) the edges of the bottom circle with a toothpick.  Make sure both edges that need to attach together are scored, and place the slip on those rough/scored sections.  Set the main body on the large circle.  Gently rub out the seams on the outside and inside of their pots with the slip.  You should not be able to see where the two pieces of clay are connected.
3. Next, you will make the lid for the pot.  Score the other large circle in the middle and add slip.  Then score the smaller circle on one side.  Place the two scored pieces together and gently twist it into place. Write your initially and the year on the small circle.  Flip the lid over so that it is resting on the smaller circle.
4. Next, you will make the lid handle.  Roll the small slab of clay into a coil.  Smooth down the end of the coil to make a seam.  Score the seam of the handle and a spot in the middle of the lid.  Add slip and attach the handle to the lid by gently pushing it down and twisting it.
5. Gently place the lid onto the pot to see if it is a good fit.  You can make small adjustments to the shape of the pot to fit the lid better.
6. If desired, use toothpicks to decorate the pot and lid.
7. Put your initials, the year (ie:2014), and the first letter of your teachers name on the bottom of the pot.
8. Remove the lid for the drying process (otherwise the lid will stick to the pot and will not be able to be removed easily).

Glazing Project: (Day two)

The Grade Level Coordinator and the Clay Coordinator will fire all the clay projects and have them ready for the glazing class at the end of the month.

1. Grade Level Coordinators will schedule all classes to glaze on the same date. Each class will come in for 30 minutes with a 15 minute turnover time between classes.  Have each teacher request extra volunteers on this day.
2. Cover tables with plastic. 
3. Put a small amount of glaze in a plastic bowl.   Have colors available on each table for the students to choose from.  Have 2 or 3 brushes at each color.  The brushes should stay with only one color.  Switch to the next color’s brush if adding another color.  Apply 2 layers of glaze.  
4. Glaze over the name and date
5. If a clay piece is cracked, use extra glaze in that location to strengthen it.
6. Please return any extra glaze to its container.
7. After the students complete their glazing, the adults will coat the project with a clear glaze.