Pinch pots in 1st grade
My demonstration video.
Students created a pinch pot using self hardening clay. I don't have a kiln at my school so I find this clay works the best. It is still very fragile, but it's the best I can do without a kiln. I use Crayola's self hardening clay.
I first discussed with the students where clay comes from and shared the book "Children of Clay, A family of Pueblo Potters" by Rina Swentzell. This is a great book about a family's journey to find clay and to create art with it. It is a non fiction book with photographs. I don't know if it is still in print but I'm sure you could find a similar book.
Each student received a piece of wax paper and a small card to write their name and teacher code on to identify their clay pot later (since we aren't firing the clay)..At this level I find it is difficult for the students to write their name on the bottom of the pot so the card works out great. They just put their pot on top while it is drying. When they are ready to paint they can take a black permanent marker and write their name on the bottom.
The wax paper works great for clean up. Just throw it away when you're finished!
Since I chose to do this project in the winter, and my classroom is in the basement, it has taken a while for the pots to dry.
After they were dry, the students painted them with tempera paint.
After they were painted I sprayed them with acrylic gloss. Make sure to do this after school and with the windows opened!
This is the kids favorite art project!
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