LESSON PLAN
By Megan Barton
GRADE LEVEL - Fourth
DATE - spring semester
NM STANDARDS AND BENCHMARKS – 1:A,B,C; 2:A; 4:A,B; 5: A; 6: A
NATIONAL STANDARDS (K-4) – 4
LESSON – Oaxacan Animals
TIME – 2 classes
OBJECTIVES –
1. To make three-dimensional animals using proper clay
techniques
2. To become acquainted with folk art of Oaxaca, Mexico
3. To underglaze clay animals in an Oaxacan style
MOTIVATION AND DIRECTION – Review with the students their experiences of
drawing animals. Show them examples of sculptural animals and discuss the
nature of thinking three-dimensionally to make an animal out of clay. Stress to
the students that their animals must balance in a sitting or standing position.
Demonstrate for the students how to start working with the clay to form
parts for the animals. Review the scoring and slipping technique for attaching
pieces together. A simple pinching technique can be used for ears and tails.
Before underglazing the dried animals view pictures of animals made in
Oaxaca, Mexico. Ask the students to describe what appears to be the style of
the brightly painted animals. Encourage the students to use this style when
painting with the underglazes.
Finished pieces will be fired but not glazed to retain the bright colors.
MATERIALS – clay mats and tools pots of water
brushes underglaze paper towels
drying trays
newspaper
VOCABULARY – modeling sculpture three-dimensional score and slip form
texture balance Oaxacan
ART PRINTS – animal sculptures
pictures of Oaxacan animals from Mexico
map of North America and Central America
EVALUATION – Each student will complete a three-dimensional animal and
underglaze it in an Oaxacan style.