Clay monsters.

Fifth grade LOVED this project from the fall.  It was 2 days for construction, 1 FULL day for glazing.  I highlight full because there are so many details that we really needed the entire 50 minutes (and some students might have needed some lunch glazing, but they all got finished!). 

Hands in Clay (in progress)!

Here are a few of the hands during construction time.

I love them all piled up in the kiln when bone dry.  Ready to be fired!

Hands in Clay!

Fifth grade students discussed the use and significance of hands in artwork, and viewed artwork by artists such as Michaelangelo, Albrecht Durer, and M.C. Escher. 

Students then created their own hands out of cone 05 white or red clay, beginning with the palm, and then adding the fingers.  We let them dry in rings of twisted newspaper so that the fingers stayed elevated.  We really concentrated on successful glazing with this project, and I think it definitely payed off. A lot of students wanted to give these as Mothers' or Fathers' Day gifts!