This project was inspired by a version done in summer camp this past summer.
We began by reading the delightfully illustrated story Home.
Students were inspired by the different homes in the story to sketch their own dwellings.
On the first clay day, we rolled out a slab and used texture mats and other tid bits to create textures. Students cut the outline of their houses as well.
The second clay day*, we added details by using pinch, slab, and coil method. Students were encouraged to personalize their houses with details like their address number and other personal things. After a bisque fire, we glaze.
When the houses emerge from the inferno a second time, they are shiny and bright!
A Japanese temple:
A watermelon house:
A rainbow house:
A tall house:
The Leaning Tower of Piza:
A tree house:
A colorful castle and a wooden house:
A dragon on a castle:
Hooray for houses!
*I really like to give my students the chance to use clay more than one day. This is important because many of them only get the chance to touch clay once a year and since it is such a special experience I want them to get a chance to use the material for more than just 45 minutes. This can make storage a little challenging but it is worth it for the students to get the exposure to creating 3D shapes and forms.