A couple of years ago, I shared a kindergarten lesson on creating symmetrical butterflies. It was always such a hit with the kids and each looked stunning!
I decided to take the same process and create a couple of lessons with different bugs. Today, I'm sharing a ladybug collage print:
Now...recently I was attending the art teacherin' conference in Missouri and was chatting with some teachers. They were commiserating on just how hard it is to share with students how to use scissors and glue bottles properly. With that in mind, I decided to extend this lesson from just printing a ladybug but to also using our scissors and glue. AND...I included portions of my book in the video!
Everything that I wanted to teach children about using scissors and glue...IS IN THIS BOOK! Check out the book, take a look at the inside and even watch videos about using this book in your art room right here!
In the ladybug video, I read portions of the book, sharing these illustrations to better help young artists understand how to correctly use their scissors and...
OR...you could just keep it simple and do bug prints!
I keep thinking that a huge display of bug prints would be perfect for "We're Buggin' Out for Spring" or...state testing...or...the end of the school year?! Who knows! Regardless, I hope y'all have fun!
A while back, I created this ceramic box in my clay class at the Clay Lady Campus. I have since adapted the making of the box to include the use of a template to make the whole process much easier. I thought I'd share the process and the template with you in case this a project you might like to do with your middle and/or high school students!
Before diving into clay with your students, you may want to offer them a bit of a crash course in clay. I created this video a couple of years ago...and I have heard from so many art teachers that it is a staple in their clay unit (which makes me so happy to hear!). Not only that...but this clay video buys you time! You'll have time to prep clay, refill those water cups or just take a sip of coffee while it's actually still warm. Cheers!
If you are new to clay and are looking for some supply recommendations, I got you. What I primarily used in my art room were clay mats (purchased from The Clay Lady; I had a set of 20 that I used for the 25 years of my teaching career...BUT you can only use them on the white side, NOT the blue), toothbrushes, cups for water and wooden skewers. For my supply list, visit here!
For the first version of this box, I made a rectangle which is totally doable. But, in the video, I decided to go with a square. The smaller size made it easier to flatten the clay in the method that I used.
To make your life a little easier, I thought I'd create a template for you. You may need to print this on thicker paper or trace it to tagboard so it can withstand the damp clay and multiple uses.
Now, when I created my piece, I added these kiln fire safe 'hangers' to the back. I placed two into my clay piece before firing. They are made to withstand the heat of the kiln and will anchor themselves into the clay when fired. Then, after the firing, I have added wire to the back to hang the piece. However, they could totally be made to sit on a shelf as well!
Here is the piece that I created in the video. I know I mention it in the clip but...it is VERY important that these pieces dry slowly and on foam. For the first few days, I would dry keep these in a plastic grocery bag that is a little open to allow a small amount of air to circulate. Then, I would dry them for a few days on a foam block (or sheet rock, found at the hardware store) with plastic draped on top. Finally, I would remove the plastic and allow to dry on the foam. You'll know it's ready to go in the kiln when...you hold the piece to your cheek and it is not longer cool but room temp. Then you can fire away!
No kiln? No problem! Here's a piece I created with DAS clay, a fabulous air dry clay!
As for painting these, I truly think it's so much easier to dip them into a base color like I did with the brown paint. Glaze is expensive, it involves multiple firings...and it's hard to get into all of the knooks and crannies. So...why not try this method? I did it a lot with the projects in my art room. Especially our clay tacos!
Here's my finished piece! Have SO MANY ideas for this project so stay tuned! For now...I just wanted to share this super fun lesson with you and your artists!
