Teachers' Information for Clay

Here are some suggestions for earth related discussions and practical activities:

Activity 1: Mould-Making

Mould-making activity. Press plastic toys, leaves, twigs, shells, stones and patterned material (such as lace) into plasticine or clay, then pour plaster into the impressions.

Activity 2: Pottering About

Ask pupils to draw a shape of a vessel, then work out how to build it and make it in clay using coiling and slabbing techniques.

Activity 3: Curvy Decorations

Painting decoration onto objects such as vases and bowls was very difficult because it involved painting onto a curved surface. Pupils could create a design and try painting it on to a paper cup. Does the curve of the cup cause any difficulties?

Activity 4: Beautiful or Useful?

William Morris, a Victorian designer, said “Have nothing in your house that you do not either believe to be beautiful or know to be useful.” Using this quote as a starting point, ask pupils to think about which earth object featured in this website they consider to be the most valued. Have pupils selected something they consider beautiful or something which is useful, or both? Which object do they consider to be the least valued?