Lesson: Slab Clay Owl
Grade Level: 2nd
Objective: I can roll coils: flatten
material into a slab using clay.
Materials/Resources:
White Clay
Clay Tools
Slip Cups
Cardboard for individual work surfaces
Kiln
Ceramic Glaze
Procedure: Look at photos, drawings and artwork with owls as the subject matter. Look for
texture, similarities and differences in the pieces. Demonstrate clay building techniques, like
score and slip, slab and coil.
**Teacher precuts clay slab pieces for each student.
1. Cut and set aside 1/3 or less of clay slab. Gently pat slab evenly with palm of hand.
2. Roll slab into cylinder. Score and slip ends and use a clay tool to smooth over the seam to
hide it completely.
3. Score and slip the inside top of the cylinder and pinch top of cylinder together. Smooth seam
with fingers or clay tool to completely hide seam.
4. Use extra clay set aside from step 1 to create eyes for owl. Pinch off two equal pieces of clay
and roll into sphere. Pat down to create a small slab or pancake. Score and slip to attach
eyes.
5. Roll clay into short coil for the beak of bird and pinch the end to create a point. Score and
slip to attach to bird.
6. Use clay tool to add any texture or pattern to bird.
7. With any remaining clay add additional parts to owl, like eyebrows, ears, wings, feet, if time
allows. Make sure to score and slip when adding any pieces to bird.
***Teacher will fire pieces in kiln when completely dry.
8. Glaze bird.
***Teacher will re-fire, glazed pieces.
Resource: http://www.pinterest.com/source/biavatibottegadellestelle.it/