1st Grade Clay – Lesson Plan

FALL LEAVE DISH:  FIRST GRADE CLAY

Supplies needed:

• Clay (1 pound)
• Moist piece of paper towel to cover clay.
• Rolling pins
• ¼ inch leveling sticks for rolling the clay to keep it even
• Fall leaf templates
• Toothpicks
• Plastic knives to cut out the leaf shape
• Paper bowls to form the clay leaf as it dries. 
• Freezer paper as a work board

Making Clay Project: (Day one)

1. Place the clay on the work board and use the palm of your hand to flatten it as evenly as you can.  Students can stand to do this if it makes it easier.
2. Use the rolling pin to flatten the clay out farther and to give it a nice smooth surface.  Make sure the clay surface is large enough to fit one of the leaves onto it completely.  The clay should be as even as possible and be about ¼ – ½ inch thick.  Pay special attention to make sure he edges of the clay are not to thin. 
3. Pick out a leaf template and place it on the clay slab.  Use the rolling pin to roll over the leaf pushing the leaf into the clay – to get the leaf to stick into the clay.
4. Use a toothpick to trace around the outside of the leaf. 
5. Remove the leaf – the texture and veins of the leaf should be seen in the clay.
6. Use the plastic knife or toothpick to cut out the leaf.  It is easier to cut out small sections at a time.  Cut the pieces off in small triangles and rectangles then pull the pieces away from the clay leaf.
7. Smooth the edges of the leaf with the tips of your fingers.  Use the toothpick to slightly deepen the veins in the leaf, if desired.
8. Adults should write the student’s name or initials, year, and the teacher’s initials on the bottom of the leaf. 
9. Place the leaf in the bowl.  Push down or pre form the leaf into a slight bowl shape with gentle curves. 

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 projects with a clear glaze before the final firing.