What's included
8 live meetings
4 in-class hoursClass Experience
No experience with clay at all is needed but is advantageous to have. Basic clay skills will be taught. Skills such as: rolling clay into a pancake. Molding clay into a ball. Imprinting objects such as leaves into clay to make an imprint. Cutting holes into the clay. Rolling clay into a snake form. I will be using google slides to show pictures of what we will make in class and or actual clay examples. I can point my camera down on my work area so the students can see what I am making while we are working to facilitate the class. Students will be able to ask questions during and after class. . 1st week(day 1): Coils and pancakes: We will roll the clay with our hands on a flat surface. We will use the counter top or table as a flat surface to roll the clay out onto. We will use out hands too. A rolling pins(listed in the class material section, will help too to roll the clay. The pancakes can be turned into hanging holiday ornament(bring some cookie cutters to cut out different shapes). (day 2): Coil pot: we will make a snake by rolling small pieces of clay and then roll the snake into a pot. We will make a pancake. Then we will wind the coils onto a circle pancake to form a pot. We will learn "scoring" and how to attach clay to another piece of clay so it stays and doesn't come apart. 2nd week (day 3): We will make a handprint and a footprint. We can make a paw print too of your pet dog or cat if they let you. We will also imprint objects into the clay(leaves, buttons, keys). We will use the counter top or table as a flat surface to roll the clay out onto. We will use out hands too. A rolling pins(listed in the class material section, will help too to roll the clay. We will warm up the clay and learn to make a "bulldog wedge". This is a useful wedge to learn and can be used every time clay is warmed up and getting ready to work with the clay. (day 4) Bring leaves and anything (buttons, a fork, coins, shells) with a design or imprint on it so we can imprint designs onto a pancake of clay. Review of "Bulldog wedge" 3rd week(day 5): We will make a slab pot that hangs on the wall used to hold a plant or any other object. Bring small objects(shells, buttons, leaves from outside...) to make imprints. We will use the counter top or table as a flat surface to roll the clay out onto. We will use out hands too. A rolling pins(listed in the class material section, will help too to roll the clay. (day 6): We will make another slab pot using different imprints. Review of making a pancake, scoring, and attaching shapes. 4th lesson(day 7): We will make a pinch pot and a garden stone. We will mostly be using our fingers to manipulate the clay in this class. We may be using the counter top or table as a flat surface to roll the clay out onto. We will use out hands too. A rolling pins(listed in the class material section, will help too to roll the clay. The pinch pot can be turned into a character pot. (day 8):We will make another pinch pot adding feet to the bottom and any imprint you want to add to the sides of the pot. review of scoring and attaching shapes and making shapes. We can make 2 pinch pots and put them together to make a holiday ornament.
Learning Goals
Students will learn to pinch clay, to squeeze clay, and to roll clay.
Learners will by the end of class know how to make a coil pot, a hand (or paw) print, a slab pot, and a pinch pot.
Why Clay? 1. It's therapeutic. Simply the act of molding clay in one's hands whether you're a child or an adult can be very calming. Remember those stress balls that were once so popular? Manipulating the clay can help relieve stress or even be an outlet for young children who physically express their emotions.
2. It's an outstanding sensory development activity
3. It's play based learning. You might not realize it, but playing with clay is promoting minds to get busy by thinking about what they're going to create and how they're going to create it. This type of creative play promotes imaginative problem-solving skills.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
None. Optional: parents can help their students by sitting next to them off camera or just be nearby in case the student needs hands-on help. Camera angle: for the clay work try to angle your camera on the table where you are working so I can see what you are doing and I'll do the same.
Supply List
supply list: small bowl of water (used to moisten clay) a pencil a rolling pin or smooth glass jar A dry rag (to wipe hands or counter top if needed) A damp/wet rag (to wipe hands or counter top if needed) Clay: self hardening clay or air dry clay in any color. It usually comes in black or white. Any local art or craft supply store will carry self hardening clay. It is also sometimes called air dry clay. I am going to use a black color. I bought my clay from Sheffield Pottery in Sheffield MA. There is an on-line store if you need to order on-line. https://www.sheffield-pottery.com/default.asp?msclkid=bc3ee05b1f8a199028efbe9540e372db&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=**LP%20Branded%20-%20A&utm_term=Sheffield%20Pottery&utm_content=Sheffield%20Pottery Small objects: some leaves, sea shells, or buttons to make imprints bring small magnet to attach to the Clay(snail project)
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from University of Colorado
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Western governors university
I have been working on a pottery and with clay when since middle school age or before. I attended a Visual and performing arts school in Sarasota FL which is still there to this day. I was in the first pioneering class to be created at the school. We had 3-4 pottery wheels and it was my most favorite class. Later as an adult when I lived in Miami FL. I purchased my own pottery wheel and have made many things on the wheel. I taught each of my three daughters on the wheel from a very young age(4, 5, or 6).
Reviews
Live Group Class
$80
for 8 classes2x per week, 4 weeks
30 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 3-6
1-6 learners per class