Lesson 3: Hands as Tools

Materials

• Deli container with clay
• Tray with damp sponge
• 8 x 10” cardboard base

Activities

Step 1: Invitation to Explore

• What did we do last week?
• What do you see on my tray?
• What did you do with the clay last week?
• As students say they rolled, pinched, or poked, model each action using a small chunk of clay, and place each modeled piece in front of you so the students can see them. 
• The clay feels dry and it’s getting hard to work with — how can I make it softer?
• Show the students how to press their hands on the sponge to wet their hands so that they can soften the clay. 
• Explain that the sponge never, ever leaves the tray!

Step 2: Work-time

• Have 3-4 students come to the art center. 
• Have the students work directly on the table. 
• Do not give them any instructions. 
• As they work, ask them what they are doing, and help give words to their actions — roll, poke, pinch, pull, press, etc. 
• Take photos as students explore for documentation. Record their observations as they work.
• After students have had ample time to explore, ask them to press or roll their clay into a chunk and place the clay into deli cups with lids.
• Save one clay creation for reflection.

Step 3: Reflection

• Choose one child’s work and put it on a cardboard base to bring to the meeting area. 
• How do you think ________ made this? What do you think _______ did with his/her hands?
• Be sure to rotate the sculpture so students can look at all sides.
• After reflection, have the student whose work was shared roll it into a ball and put it in the deli container in the art center.

Vocabulary

Clay, soft, hard, cool, wet, silky, roll, squeeze, poke, twist, flatten, break, pinch