Clay

Description: We first learned about ancient people and how artifacts were so important to them. We then had to close our eyes and got a plastic bag and had to guess what was in it by just feeling with our hands. That relates to how architects find fossils and they may not know what it is at first by just seeing it and touching it. Then, we learned how to knead the clay, get the bubbles out, and build walls. Next, we had to practice those techniques and get our clay nice and soft. Once we had our clay soft, we could start practicing engraving or making imprints into the clay. When we had something engraved or an imprint we liked, we had to put our initials on the back and then cut it out into a shape we wanted. After we had our pennant cut out, we smoothed all the sides of the clay with water. Once we got everything finished up and had it the way we wanted it to look, we could start painting. Lastly, we poked a hole through the top of the pennant, put a little ring through it, and attached a string so they can be hung up or worn.

Extended Activity: For an extension activity, I would use this for a Mother's Day project for the kids. I would have them each make one for their mom/ guardian. Instead of having the students just pushing something on their to make an imprint on the clay, I would have them draw something that reminds them of their mom or something they think of when they think of her. This way it would have more meaning. Then the students could still paint them and then either make necklaces or make the string shorter for bracelets.