Deep Space Sparkle Art Lessons for Kids
I’m in the planning stage of this year’s ceramic tile mural. A few weeks ago, a few 6th graders suggested that the mural theme have something to do with the United States. I was thinking that we might do a mural on Ancient Aztecs but after researching images, I decided that there wasn’t enough variety [...]
I’m a planner. I like to be prepared. So whatever happened during those last few weeks of school that left me staring at 200 pieces of unglazed bisque, I’ll never know. I’m blaming Star Testing and the mutual decision to abandon the art schedule during testing and just tack 2 weeks on the end of [...]
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Capping off the 6th grade promotion festivities was the reveal of the annual 6th grade mural. This year we chose to do Ancient Greece, with many student’s incorporating mythological creatures into their tile creations. We used terra cotta clay to create our tiles. To save time and to take advantage of the sgraffito technique, we [...]
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These baby elephants are adorable. My third grade kids created them in the very same manner as the ceramic pigs, but instead of little ears and a snout, the children created big flapping ears and a trunk. In order to be successful with the hollow form method of making an animal, the children must have [...]
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It’s never to early to teach little children how to make a basic pinch pot because when they master one, they can make just about anything in ceramics. This little pig is two pinch pots scored together, with added legs, head, snout and in this case, a curly tail. How to make a pinch pot [...]
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I’ve been up to my ears in clay. The 6th grade students have finished their portion of the annual ceramic tile mural project. The project is coming along beautifully except the tiles have taken a long time to dry. They’ll be fired at the end of the week, glazed next week, fired again and finally, [...]
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While two of my Kinder classes (ages 5-6) created Ceramic Fish Dishes, my other Kinders created beautiful flower dishes. The children used the same steps to create their flower dishes using the same clay and underglazes. There have been lots of suggestions from readers to try different glazes for ceramic projects and I have to [...]
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There is nothing more rewarding than manipulating a big slab of clay into a shiny piece of art. Despite ceramics requiring a great deal of prep, it’s really the most wonderful of all the tactile art lessons. My Kinders were thrilled to see that they would be creating a ceramic fish bowl. Attention was sharp [...]
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Five years ago, when my children’s elementary school did not have an art program, I persuaded the Principal to allow me to work with the 6th grade students to create a permanent ceramic tile mural on the school’s exterior walls. I had been involved with creating ceramic murals at another school, so I knew the [...]
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Working with clay is perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences of a child’s elementary art career. All that squeezing and shaping and then finally….a finished piece! Kids love them and parents treasure them. It’s a win-win situation. But sometimes, working with clay can be a daunting experience. Believe me, I’ve been there! Hopefully, I can [...]
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Things had been going so well. Half the year over, successful lessons, sunny days and then…boom! Fifth grade clay day. Sound the drums! Fifth grade is a big grade level. Meaning I have two classes with about 30 kids each. Even the classroom seems crowded with my six tables occupying lumbering, growing bodies. But I’m [...]
Ceramic or clay projects are truly one of the most cherished of all creative keepsakes in elementary school. And for good reason. Those treasured plaques, handprints and pumpkins are simply adorable. And they’re fun to do. I’ve never had a child balk at the sight of clay. Instead, most children can’t wait to mold, sculpt [...]
I’ve always wanted to try these leaf bowls but was never really sure how to do them. Lori over at Fun Art for Kids provided the inspiration and the know-how. I ordered the Colorburst under-glaze as per her instructions, and I love the results. Definitely worth the bucks. You can find the Colorburst glaze here. Thanks Lori! [...]
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I search for as many clay project ideas as I can. For some reason, I need the security of knowing that another art teacher has tried the lesson and was actually successful. This is one such lesson. Pulled from the pages of Arts and Activities magazine, Donia Lilly rom VSA Arts of Nevada in Washoe [...]
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I’m always looking for simple ceramic lessons for my students. I vary the complexities of the lessons according to grade levels, starting with pinch pots in the lower grades and working up to mural projects in the upper grades. This cute little turtle has become a staple for in fourth grade. Sometimes I use a [...]
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