I usually do regular pinch pots with my first grade students, but this year I was inspired by all the little fish I've seen throughout art teacher blogs. These are our rendition!I use Laguna Clay, Laguna Underglaze and finish with Duncan Dipping Glaze.
Instructions are simple....give each student a palm-sized ball of clay, form into a pinch pot, add a tail, fins, eyes and teeth/mouth/lips, scratch attach using a scoring method, write names on bottom, dry completely, fire (05), paint with underglaze and dip in glaze, fire again (04).
This is an easy shape for young hands to make. Give them lots of opportunity to create different sized fins or tails, even eyelashes! My time with my students was limited to 40 minutes of clay time, so I kept the children moving along with the basic shapes. If you need to break up the project, use a zip lock bag to keep the clay moist.
This would be a great project for air-dry clay and acrylic paints...might try that next year as kiln work is time-consuming!
This is a great idea for younger kids , but what do you suggest for those of us who do not have kilns and such ceramics equipment? Do you recommend an air dry clay and type of paint?
ReplyDeleteLike I said, this would be a great project for air dry clay and acrylic paints. I heard Crayola makes a great air dry clay. Generally, acrylic paints are pretty much the same. Any school appropriate acrylic paint (aka cheap!) would be fine.
ReplyDeleteI love this project! It always turns out so cute. Crayola's Model Magic works really well - it's softer and easier for little hands to work with.
ReplyDeleteThose are so cute!! I work at a Boys and Girls Club and I'm going to try those out with the kids :)
ReplyDeleteI am going to give these a try with the air dry clay. I don't know much working with this medium-is there a gloss coat that would work over the acrylic paint?- or would it be needed? I guess we'll find out! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and all of your ideas! I also can't wait to try the Autumn Painted Pumpkin Collage.
I love to use acrylic paint as it just saves so much time and energy.
ReplyDeleteGlazing can be done with spray on clear or I have even used watered down PVA - white glue..
I have another idea which I will explain later- Have to go out!!
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ReplyDeleteThanks, One Mom!!! Glad you enjoy the blog!
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful! I do have some of that air-dry clay by Crayola and will try with my granddaughter. Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteI ADORE this twist on the pinch pot! Crayola air-dry clay is one of the best and it works with score and slip too, it can even be bisque fired. Sadly, not glazed but there are lots of glossy acrilic paints.
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