Learning about clay

…Clay in one form or another covers much of the earth’s surface… In essence, all clay originates as either igneous or metamorphic rock, which is then broken down by water and ice to form clays with different characteristics.

(Clay) can be used in such an immense number of ways that the possibilities for discovery and learning are almost endless.

…The exploration of form, space, texture, weight and structure are of special value… The finest tools that we human beings have are our hands, and it is in the development of fine motor skills that clay work has a particular and special place…

Clough, Peter, Clay in the Classroom, Davis Publications, Inc., 1996.

Some of last week’s clay work has been fired in the kiln. Ask your children “How did your clay change?  How did your clay feel before firing in the kiln?  After?  What color was the clay before firing?  After?”

Grades 1, 2 and 3