Clay Encounter
April 4th, 2022
These were the ecologies at the beginning of the encounter. There were many tools and different kinds of clay available for the participants to use. We used books as inspiration at each table to go with a specific theme. The themes included habitats, colour, construction and textures. Before starting I wondered, will students be engaged and enjoy themselves? What will individuals create?
An individual used an animal model that was at the habitat ecology for inspiration. They formed the shape and added details with a tool provided. It would have been cool to let this model harden and then get the student to paint the animal as well.
This cute little creation was created with a few different materials. Clay was the base of the creation. I thought it was interesting they didn't have to use with clay to get inspiration for this snowman. It is yellow, but still recognizable to peers. This individual used their imagination to create this.
Clay can be used for spelling. This could be a language arts station in your classroom for students to practice their spelling. By creating a fun learning environment students will be more engaged in the experience.
Here is another creation made at the habitat ecology. The individual got inspiration from the animals on the table and made a polar bear of their own. This could be using in the classroom to have students create and research a specific anima to learn more about them.
This mushroom was created using different kids of clay. It was interesting to see this mixture because it added colour and made it a recognizable model. the individuals hands were the main tool used in this piece.
This is showing a destruction of an individuals work. They decided wire and string would cut through the clay. It was cool to see how perfect the wire cut the clay. This demonstrated the individuals curiosity.
All of these images were taken at the texture ecology. The tools that were on this table allowed for a variety of creations. Pressing items into the clay was very satisfying and relaxing. Students would enjoy exploring different prints they can make in the clay from all different things. The curiosity would keep them engaged for hours. This could be used in a classroom to learn about patterns or textures.
Here is an assortment of pieces. As you can see from these images some of the clay was messier than others. When individuals added water to the clay it was softer and messy. You can tell as the table, tools and the individuals hands have clay on them. I found it often looked like pottery when individuals added water. Many bowls were made!
All of this clay was store bought clay. We did not get to experience natural clay. The dark grey and some white clay was the most similar to natural clay. The coloured modelling clay felt really hard and it was difficult to model into specific things. The play dough was my favourite to handle as it was soft and easy to mold into things.
Clay is a good sensory material. The feeling of clay could be a concentration tool in the classroom for students who need a fidget. Clay is also a great material to use when you want students to be creative and use their imagination because there are so many things that can be done with clay.
All of this clay was store bought clay. We did not get to experience natural clay. The dark grey and some white clay was the most similar to natural clay. The coloured modelling clay felt really hard and it was difficult to model into specific things. The play dough was my favourite to handle as it was soft and easy to mold into things.
Clay is a good sensory material. The feeling of clay could be a concentration tool in the classroom for students who need a fidget. Clay is also a great material to use when you want students to be creative and use their imagination because there are so many things that can be done with clay.
I noticed that after this encounter there were not multiple creations completed at each table like other encounters. This material is less permanent than paint or charcoal, so individuals often squished their creations before moving on to the next ecology. Individuals occasionally took the clay they were already using to the next table with them to create a new model. The clay that had water mixed into it often stayed in the same place and individuals that wants to try it would take turns.
The tools and items at each ecology were well used. With clay many other materials can be added to the experience to make it more interesting. Many creations were made by individuals. In a classroom, there could be many themes incorporated to make clay ecologies. By switching up the theme students would stay engaged and their curiosity and imagination would continue to run wild! I would say everyone enjoyed themselves enjoyed themselves during this encounter. If young students were to interact with this encounter I feel they would enjoy themselves just as much or more.
Now I ask myself, how will I can incorporate clay into my classroom on a regular basis? How can I connect the curriculum to clay experiences?
The tools and items at each ecology were well used. With clay many other materials can be added to the experience to make it more interesting. Many creations were made by individuals. In a classroom, there could be many themes incorporated to make clay ecologies. By switching up the theme students would stay engaged and their curiosity and imagination would continue to run wild! I would say everyone enjoyed themselves enjoyed themselves during this encounter. If young students were to interact with this encounter I feel they would enjoy themselves just as much or more.
Now I ask myself, how will I can incorporate clay into my classroom on a regular basis? How can I connect the curriculum to clay experiences?