Let the Glazing Begin!

My first graders were ready to glaze their animal sculptures this past week.

Before unleashing them, I had a discussion about the differences in the clay during the firing process. They observed examples of clay in the 3 stages of greenware, bisqueware and glazeware.

(L to R) glazeware, bisqueware and greenware

We compared the color of the clay (gray to pinkish white to yellowish white), the finish (dull to shiny) and how the clay felt (smooth, rough, smooth) in the various forms.

Before handing them their sculptures, I dip the bottom into hot wax to prevent the glaze from getting on the bottom. It cools almost immediately so no worries! I use an old crockpot whose glass lid broke.

Wax resist solution can cost $11 a pint and up depending on the vendor (I would need several pints for 29 classes) but for about the same cost I can get enough canning wax (about 3 - 4 boxes, found in most grocery stores where canning supplies are sold) to do all my clay projects for the year - Can you hear the savings? Cha-Ching!

One Class Wonders

Up to my neck in bisque firings - 1 more day/kiln load and then I can start the glaze firings. I swear, those greenware pieces reproduce at night in the dark of the kiln room...

While the kids are waiting, we're doing some one day projects - a rarity in my room!

The 5th graders created paper chains...I was inspired by this blog post from Art Projects for Kids which brought back memories of the old gum wrapper chains of my youth.

My kids had good luck w/pieces cut 2" x 5". I demonstrated the folding technique with pieces twice that size (4" x 10") so they could see the process more easily.

In the interest of reduce, recycle, reuse I used an assortment of papers, some of which I already had on hand.

Fluorescent bond/copy paper was a favorite.

Wallpaper strips offered great variety but vinyl-coated was a bit tricky to fold.

Strips cut from magazine pages worked & gave many color combinations but tore easily.

I created a collage of sheet music & made copies for an interesting black & white paper. I bet old maps would work too!

The kids loved the project & we had a success rate of about 80% - 90% in a 45 min. class period.