In this lesson students were introduced to a new medium: sculpting clay, in which they took a break from the 2 dimensional work they have done thus far. Our intention was for the students to engage in the principles of art from a new perspective/medium and transfer the knowledge gained from working in 3 dimensions into their future 2 dimensional work (and vice versa). The students created a form using modeling clay, and used a variety of tools and techniques to mark, scar, and shape the clay’s surface. As they worked, they were evaluated on their conduct with modeling clay, their exploration of tools and techniques, and their ability to engage in pertinent discussions of their creative process. We want to push them to think about how to use their imagination, problem pose, and explore new ideas and concepts creatively.
Essential Understandings
Artists/designers formulate new ideas through the process that enhance their artwork.
Artists/designers use critical thinking and organizational techniques to explore new tools and operate equipment effectively to reach their desired outcomes.
Artists/designers express their own creative imagination through art.
Outcomes Students will be able to: 1. After a short Introduction on the medium: clay, students will be able to connect with each other at their table groups and share observations or ideas to manipulate the clay by demonstrating their ability to responsibly explore new material and tools. 2. After experimenting with possible forms, the students will be able to expand on the form and use tools safely and appropriately for marking, designing, and adding texture to the surface, shown by a successful creation of a sculpture with form and texture. 3. Sharing their artwork, students will be able to reflect on their creation with each other; by discussing their process, and their creative decisions.
Skills
Critical thinking and organizational techniques
Creative problem solving
Ability to mold clay into 3 Dimensional Art
Expansion of ideas through exploration of design
Sculpting Techniques
Critique Etiquette
After teachers shared the project guidelines, techniques, and possible outcomes, the students had time to interact with the new medium at their seats. They worked through the ideation processes while directly interacting and experimenting with the medium and tools.
Performance of understanding:
Student has interacted creatively with the clay and shaped it into a new form.
Student has experimented with the tools, and explored ways to make marks and texture on the clay’s surface.
Student can discuss the creative process and address the decision making that went into their artwork.
Student engaged with the materials in a safe and appropriate manner, and was responsible for cleaning up his/her work space.
As they worked, students discussed with their table members, the creative decisions that went into making their artwork. They shared insight into why they created their particular form, sharing pertinent stories, observations, what tools they used the most, and in what ways/techniques they used those tools to create their desired outcome. Through this manner of interaction the students uncovered the details of their creative problem solving as well as their artistic identity.
Reflections: Art Journal reflections can be found by clicking on the link below: https://khinchsliffart.weebly.com/ (Link to an external site) What went well: This lesson was very successful, yet very chaotic. The most successful part of our lesson was the decision to use clay, a very squishy, colored oil clay. The level of engagement from two dimensional to three dimensional material was very evident. For this lesson, we didn't start with clay from each student, we started with a clay station. This was very good because as a teacher, I had to learn how to facilitate work time, clean up, and student hand washing. Before this, I have never facilitated a class of first and second graders playing with clay. It was a huge growing moment for me as a teacher.
What didn't go well: Something that didn't go well was our time management. Every time, we ended up running out of time which left us some messes to clean up. We had to enforce station times so that everyone could have a chance with clay. They were 45 minute classes, so with clean up, each student got 5 minutes with clay.
What I would do differently: The aspect that I would do differently is the beginning of class, or introduction of clay. Because this lesson was for exploration, I would spend less time on the artist example and subject discussion and go straight to saftey. Then student will have a relaxed amount of time with clay, then students would have more time cleaning up their area and hands after playing with the oil clay.