Inclusive Clay- Fish

Meet The Teacher: Rebecca Williams

I am Becky Williams the art teacher at Springwoods Elementary, Woodbridge VA- about 25 miles south of Wash, DC with close to 900 students.  I live in my school zone and I LOVE CLAY!  I strive to get every student at Springwoods at least 2 clay projects a year, with extra skill builder days and an extra project for Art Club as well!

Project Description

This lesson brings clay to our self-contained autism classrooms.  While some students will also push into the art room, this clay fish lesson ensures everyone has a safe and fulfilling clay interaction.  Students use texture rollers and stamps to play on a small slab that is then folded by a supporting adult and turned into a free-standing fish.

Materials

  • Clay
  • textured rollers and stamps
  • needle tool for adult use
  • kiln
  • glaze
Download Material List

Grade Level

Elementary School

Difficulty

Easy

Student Hands-On Time

1-20 minutes

Teacher Prep Time

20 minutes

Project Cost / Cost Per Student

0.5

National Core Arts Standards - Visual Arts

  • Connecting - Connect personal experiences with artmaking and meaning.

21st Century Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
  • Creativity & Innovation
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Flexibility & Adaptability

STEAM Education

  • Arts

Differentiations and Accommodations

Differentiation

504 Accommodations

Accommodation

Learning Objectives: Knowledge

Students will know what clay feels like.Students will know that clay can be modeled by hand and given texture. 

Learning Objectives: Skills

Stamping and creating texture with texture rollers.

Learning Objectives: Attitudes/Values

Know your kids and be observant of them.  Students may have a wide reaction to clay.  Some may have an aversion or want to put it in their mouths. Some may want to throw the clay, stamps or rollers.  One-on-one supervision may be necessary for this reason and to help them see how their actions can make marks on the clay.  Playful exploration should be encouraged.  Have extra slabs of clay ready in case a first one given is fully utilized beyond recognition!

Formative Assessment

Watch as students interact with the tools and clay, each other and supporting adults (sharing texture tools, listening to instructions) .

Summative Assessment

Check that the student has engaged to the best of his or her ability.

Reflection and Discussion

Ask students to say texture and have them feel the bumpiness of the artwork.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Lesson Activities

Clay and Texture Tool Exploration

Students each get a slab of clay and are shown how to use the texture tools. Watch them closely to make sure they are staying safe as they may have strong feelings about the clay!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Have the slabs ready when you go meet the students. Bring mats or work on table surface and clean up afterwards. Show each student how to use the texture tools. Work with them on rules like keeping hands out of mouth, sharing and being kind to others.