Clay for Kids with Wren - Fall 2 - Ages 7 - 9

Hand building with clay for students ages 7 - 9!

This class is designed to introduce younger students to the possibilities of clay while encouraging creativity, experimentation, problem-solving, and imagination. Students will learn basic handbuilding skills while having plenty of freedom to make their own creative choices. One 25 lb bag of clay is included. No independent open studio hours will be included for this class, as all students must be accompanied by an instructor in the studio. All work must be completed during class time. 

Day 1: Getting to Know Clay

• Introduction to clay and basic studio safety

• Learn how clay feels and how to work with it

• Practice pinch pots and coil building

• Create a small pinch-pot creature, bowl, or imaginative object

Day 2: Building with Slabs

• Learn how to roll out an even slab of clay

• Practice cutting, shaping, and joining slabs

• Create a small tray, tile, or wall hanging

• Add textures, patterns, stamps, or decorations

• Learn how to properly smooth and finish the edges

Day 3: Clay Creatures & Imagination

• Explore how to build a three-dimensional form

• Learn about scoring and slipping to attach pieces

• Create an imaginative animal, creature, or character

• Add details such as eyes, ears, tails, scales, or textures

• Encourage students to give their creations personalities and names

Day 4: Surface Design & Color

• Explore different ways to decorate clay

• Experiment with carving, stamping, impressing, and mark-making

• Introduce underglazes and demonstrate how to add color

• Students decorate their completed projects

• Finish any pieces that still need work before firing

Day 5: Finishing Up & Clay Celebration

• Complete any unfinished projects

• Add final details and underglaze

• Talk about what happens to clay during the firing process

• Students choose their favorite pieces to take home 

Finished Work Pickup:
Finished pieces will be glazed and fired after the class. A pickup date can be scheduled once the work has been fired and is ready to go home.