In this 5-day air-dry clay* class for ages 6-9, we'll focus on the excitement of air-dry clay, a medium with a lot to offer. I'll be demonstrating different air-dry techniques, which kids can then use to create what they would like, with my assistance. 

      *PLEASE NOTE THAT 'AIR-DRY CLAY' IS NOT THE STRETCHY STUFF! More on air-dry clay below.

This is about EXPLORATION, more than anything. Each day we'll review different techniques and then students will use those techniques however they like. And they won't necessarily end up with a finished project every single day - sometimes they may decide not to keep what they make, and that's fine! This is about learning and gaining familiarity and comfort with clay, and taking it in their own direction. 

Each day I'll demonstrate something e.g. how to make a coil pot, and possible variations, and then they can take that in whatever direction they like...I will NOT be demonstrating one super-specific project (eg, we won't all create look-a-like butterflies together). Each student's work will be unique to them.

Our five days will go as follows:
Week 1: intro, general clay play, intro to basic techniques 
Week 2: pinching
Week 3: coiling
Week 4: slabs and texture
Week 5: putting it all together: decorating pieces from day 2 and/or day 3, and making new things 

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE PIECES THEY MAKE IN CLASS: 
-After each class, you'll need to take anything they want to keep, and put it off to the side - away from kids and pets - to dry for, at minimum, 24 hours until it's hard.
-Students will primarily only be creating clay forms in this class, and not painting/decorating 
-Since air-dry clay needs a few days to dry, not everything will be dry enough by the last day to decorate. However, anything saved from days 1 and 2 - and *possibly* day 3 - will be ready to decorate on day 5, should students choose to do so. On Day 5 I'll introduce the idea of decorating with watercolor or tempera paints &/or colored pencils - but we'll also make new things on Day 5. 

WHAT WILL A CLASS SESSION LOOK LIKE? 
Our 45 minutes together usually works out to be 5-15 mins discussion/demo; 20-25 mins working; 5-10 wrap-up and sharing.
-I'll introduce the day's idea. Sometimes we might look at art related to the topic at hand (please note, though, we will not be looking at famous artworks with the intent of creating our own version of them).
-I'll demo, using a second camera to highlight my hands working. 
-Students will spend around 20-25 minutes working.
-We'll spend the last few minutes sharing and reflecting on our work (whomever would like to share), and cleaning up - there's a lot of clean-up!

I strive for an interactive environment; I ask questions and hope learners will respond! During demonstrations, I highlight my hands using a document camera, and offer clear instruction about what I am doing. I check for comprehension throughout work time. 

A note on sharing: I ask students to share, but never insist - I don't believe in forcing anyone to share their work or their thoughts! I will ask them if they'd like to, and learners are always welcome to volunteer, but I understand that some kids are more shy than others and, having myself been a kid who didn't like to speak up too much in class, I know what it feels like when teachers push you to share. It is my hope that any learners who feel shy initially will eventually feel brave enough to share their work and speak up.

WHAT ART MATERIALS WILL I NEED?
I will post a  supply list in the classroom but you'll need to buy some supplies that, if you have nothing, might run you about $10-15. See the "Learner Supply List" section for details, but I'll save all the nitty-gritty for the classroom. 
-A bucket of white air-dry clay (NOT the little colored individually wrapped packages; true air-dry clay comes in a big lump in a bucket!) - Crayola is a readily-available brand 
-a work surface for the clay, eg a plastic placemat or garbage bag or piece of foil either taped to your work surface or wrapped around a piece of cardboard - you shouldn't have to buy anything
-a cellulose sponge on a plate
-a damp washcloth or paper towel
-some clay tools - if you have play-doh tools, those might work, or you can use things like:
  -a plastic fork (could be a regular fork, but it'll get clay on it - always nice to keep eating/art supplies separate);
  -a plastic spoon (could be a regular spoon, but it'll get clay on it - always nice to keep eating/art supplies separate);
  -a plastic knife and/or popsicle/craft stick
  -a chopstick 
  -a pencil
  -toothpicks
  -for decoration, Day 5 (optional, students may choose to just make more things on Day 5 and not decorate): colored pencils, watercolor paint and/or tempera paint/brushes (but using water-based paint extensively does wet the clay so it's a delicate balance), things to glue on like feathers or googly eyes or gems - and glossy mod-podge if they want to seal the surface after decorating

PLEASE NOTE: Air-dry clay is a messy medium in that it can create a lot of dust! You'll want to have an impermeable work surface (for example: a plastic placemat or a garbage bag) that will be easy to clean. Since you don't want clay dust floating around in your house - although I'll be reviewing clean-up with your learners, I highly recommend ensuring a good table/surface wipe-down with water after class is over to make sure they've cleaned up well enough! Your learners may get some clay on their clothes as well, so a smock isn't a bad idea.