4th grade Clay fish dishes

 

4th grade clay dishes

Our 4th graders had so much fun turning simple clay into something “fin-tastic”! 🐟

We started with Crayola air-dry clay and learned how to create a basic pinch pot. From there, students carefully shaped their pots into fish dishes. Once the form was set, they sculpted details like eyes, tails, and fins, then used popsicle sticks and clay tools to carve beautiful scales and textures.

After letting their creations dry completely, the artists brought their fish to life with colorful acrylic paints. To finish them off, we added a glossy acrylic spray for that shiny, ceramic-like look.

It’s always amazing to see how each student starts with the same technique but ends up with a totally unique piece. So proud of their creativity and craftsmanship!

3rd grade Cast Iron Pour sculptures

 3rd Grade Cast Iron Pour Sculptures

I’m excited to share a special project made possible through a grant from the Education Foundation. With this support, my students had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the Western North Carolina Sculpture Center in Lenoir, North Carolina, to create their own cast-iron low-relief sculptures.

Cast iron is used to make many everyday objects — from pots and kettles to artistic sculptures and industrial metal parts — but seeing the process up close brings a whole new appreciation for the craft.

At the Sculpture Center, a mold was created using a clay and sand mixture designed to hold molten iron safely in the desired shape. My students then carved their own Miró-inspired designs into the mold surface, carefully planning each line and texture. Watching their ideas take physical form was inspiring.

Once the molds were ready, the Sculpture Center team poured molten iron into each one. After the iron cooled, the castings were removed, revealing the students’ finished sculptures in solid metal — a powerful transformation from sketch to carving to iron.

Each year, the center also hosts a Cast Iron Day where families can come watch and even participate in the process. It’s an amazing community event that celebrates art, craftsmanship, and hands-on learning.

I’m so grateful for the grant, our partnership with the Sculpture Center, and the chance for my students to experience art in such a lasting and memorable way.

• 
  

Randy  Knauf photographer 

Pop art clay cupcakes 5th grade art lesson

 5th-grade Pop art clay cupcakes

Fifth graders explored Pop Art by studying the work of Wayne Thiebaud, Claes Oldenburg, and Andy Warhol.
To create their own Pop Art–inspired clay cupcakes, students began by forming a simple pinch pot for the base. Using popsicle sticks, they added texture to mimic the ridges of a cupcake liner. Additional clay was provided for the top. Students rolled a long coil and gradually spiraled it inward, shaping it into a conical “swirl” of frosting. Throughout the process, they were reminded to cradle both the top and bottom pieces for support, smooth the interior, and score any areas that needed to be attached. Details such as a cherry or sprinkles could be added for extra personality.

For drying, students wrote their names on a piece of cardstock and placed the card between the two separate pieces. We used Crayola Air-Dry Clay since we do not have a kiln, and the forms took about two weeks to dry completely. Once dry, the fifth graders painted their cupcakes with acrylic paint, and I sprayed them with a coat of acrylic gloss for a shiny, finished look.