For tons of useful information for instructing with clay, take a look at “Creating with Clay: Instruments, Strategies, and Suggestions for Success” in my TPT Retailer.

When becoming a member of two items of clay, you’ll have the most effective likelihood of them staying joined in the event you rating (tough up the surfaces to be joined) after which slip (paint each scored surfaces with a pre-made clay slip). Clay can generally have a thoughts of its personal so this step is a small worth to pay to get profitable outcomes!

Don’t skip the slip!

However I’ll confess… after I was solely instructing an occasional clay venture with my lessons, I’d typically “skip the slip” and simply use water – incorrectly assuming that some “attachment malfunctions” had been to be anticipated.

Or, if I used to be actually ready, I’d make some clay slip earlier than class by including just a little water to some gentle clay and mixing it with a fork or a wire whisk. Then I’d retailer the clay slip in particular person plastic containers – however it will often dry out earlier than I had an opportunity to make use of it once more with the subsequent venture down the highway.

The key to good clay slip

Properly, I’m right here to let you know there’s a greater method! All you want is an outdated blender that you may designate in your clay slip and a few plastic storage containers with screw-top lids.

Used blenders are simple to seek out at your native thrift retailer. It doesn’t even have to be very highly effective. And if it already seems to be just a little worse for the damage, all the higher, because you’re not utilizing it for meals anyway!

When you’ve got a “FreeCycle” or one other sort of sharing/reusing neighborhood in your space, you might even be capable of discover a used blender without cost. (Simply be sure to don’t use your good blender from residence!)

Easy methods to make your personal clay slip

To make your personal clay slip, merely drop some clay scraps in your blender, add simply sufficient water to cowl it, and let it sit in a single day. Then mix it up the subsequent morning. If it’s too skinny, add extra clay…. too thick, add just a little water.

I like our slip to be thick however nonetheless pourable. (Essential! Ensure your clay slip is produced from the identical clay you’ll be utilizing it with!)

Easy methods to retailer your clay slip

For storing slip, I just like the 16 oz. plastic containers with screw-on lids that are available packs of two from the Greenback Tree. With a screw-on lid, you may get a tighter seal than you possibly can with snap-on lids, which implies your slip will nonetheless be usable the subsequent time it’s essential to use it.

Relatively than giving every scholar their very own particular person container of slip, I simply have teams of two, 3, or 4 all share an even bigger one. Storing a bigger quantity of slip in an even bigger container retains it from drying out so rapidly. Even after the summer time break, all I have to do is stir in just a little water and our clay slip is able to go.

Easy methods to apply clay slip

We use the red-handled paint brushes that come within the Prang watercolor units for making use of clay slip since we by no means use these brushes for portray. They’re simply the proper dimension for slip and the crimson handles make them simple to maintain separate from our good brushes.

Don’t neglect a scoring instrument

You may make an inexpensive and efficient scoring instrument by laying a number of toothpicks aspect by aspect and taping them along with masking tape. A stiff toothbrush will work, too, however it takes just a little extra effort to wash it afterward.

Children of all ages love working with clay! The better you can also make it on your self because the trainer, the extra you’ll get pleasure from it, too!

Try my “Ceramic Leaf Plates” useful resource in my TPT Retailer for a enjoyable venture for grades 3 and up.

For heaps extra useful information for instructing with clay, take a look at “Creating with Clay: Instruments, Strategies, and Suggestions for Success” in my TPT Retailer.