Clay Penguins

 

First grade students began a clay exploration by listening to the story Tacky the Penguin by, Helen Lester.  The class then explored sculpture by making penguins and a pool of ice and water by making two different size pinch-pots.  Students learned the technique of rolling a ball of clay into a ball and then sticking their thumb into the center.  By using their thumb and forefingers, students then "pinched" around the shape to open up the clay in to a wide bowl type formation.  This became the base of our sculpture.    The second pinch-pot started off with a ball and thumb print.  However, student then pushed the clay over their thumb to make a taller tower looking pinch-pot which then became the body for their penguin.  Students then learned about the 'Scratch & Attach" technique of how to apply scoring and slip to clay in order to attach a detail such as a wing, tail or even beak.  I'd say this group really got the hang of it!

On day two, students listened to the story Sergio Makes a Splash by, Edel Rodriguez. 

 We discussed penguin attributes and how to paint our penguins with the right color choice: black, white and a touch of yellow.  Students had a great time painting their sculptures and the results are stunning!