Supply and classroom prep sheet for
Clay “Dragons”
Please be aware that this AWESOME Project is a FOUR STAR difficulty lesson!
Difficulty rating shows how many difficult concepts & techniques are explored.
* 1 STAR is very easy.
** 2 STARS is fairly simple.
*** 3 STARS is challenging but not too hard.
**** 4 STARS is really challenging!
***** 5 STARS is VERY, VERY, VERY difficult... almost impossible. Not for the faint of heart. (advanced art students only)
If you would like to change to an easier lesson, please let me know!
Classroom set
up:
- I will need a DocCam
& Projector or poster page, visible
to all students while they are drawing at their desks/tables.
- your document camera &
projector set up - Excellent option!
- my DocCam & stand with
your projector. I have cables. (Sorry, I don’t have a
projector!) - Excellent option!
- or a sheet of chart paper - okay option.
- Please get everyone to clear desks (except for
things they’ll need.) We’ll have more art time!
- Please let me know
how much of the clay to use with your class. (you can write it on the
box/bag.)
- Please have the clay
in a visible spot in the room 10 minutes before the session so I
can cut the clay.
- You
will need a safe area to dry clay projects slowly… not on a heater or in
a window please. Drying clay too quickly makes the clay crack. You may wish to
put down newsprint or paper towels ahead of
time.
Supplies:
FOR SCULPTURE
- Clay or air-dry clay
- Water (sink
access)
- Paper Towels or Cleaning Cloths (for clean up)
- I will bring Tools (I will bring rolling pins,
water pots & basic tools.)
- Desk covers - (Can be taped in place, if need be, for easier slab rolling.)
- Paper, wood, cardboard or
fabric as a work surface to prevent sticking
- cardboard or bristolboard is
good
- fabric is good
- the backside of chalkboards
is good, if not too smooth
- sturdy scrap paper is okay (ie:
brown craft paper)
- No newsprint or wax
paper, please… they fall apart when wet.
- No plastic (it's just
as sticky as the desks)
- Standard potter's
clay is the best and the cheapest.
- (I
prefer Plainsman M-340 clay - grey when moist,
off-white once fired.)
- Plainsman
clay comes with two bags in each box. You will need one bag per
class although you can use 2 bags per class and produce larger projects. (or
a bag & a third!)
- Please let me know
how much clay to use with each class. (you can write it on the box/bag.)
- Please have the
clay in a visible spot in the room 10 minutes before the session, so I
can cut the clay.
- Air-dry clay has glue/ hardener added and it's quite pricey but does dry
harder when projects cannot be fired. (it's only available at art or craft
stores.) You
can air-dry potters clay but it will always remain fragile.
- The best option is
to 'borrow' a kiln at another school, if your school doesn't have one.
- I don't have a
kiln. :-) sorry!
- You can buy clay
at Greenbarn Potters Supply in Port Kells. www.greenbarn.com (They have good prices.)
- Clay
that has been in your supply room for six months or more is no longer
good. (If you can't easily press a finger into the clay,
little fingers won't be able to move it. You can use it on your own but it will
need soaking and working before little hands can work it! Clay should be soft
& squishy!)
- Don't
leave clay outdoors or in a vehicle overnight in winter. It can freeze (and dry)
or just be too cold to cut the next day.