Notes of Lessons: Clay Modelling, Class III

[We have thought that it might be of use to our readers (in their own families) to publish from month to month during the current year, Notes of Lessons prepared by students of the House of Education for the pupils of the Practising School. We should like to say, however, that such a Lesson is never given as a tour de force, but is always an illustration or an expansion of some part of the children’s regular studies (in the Parents’ Review School), some passage in one or other of their school books.—Ed.]

Subject: Clay Modelling • Class III

By L. A. Bell
The Parents’ Review, 1906, p. 493

Objects

I. To develop powers of observation and dexterity of hand.

II. To give the sense of form and proportion, and the perception of form,—training in accuracy.

III. To help the girls to realise their creative powers.

Lesson

Step I.—Use clay platforms made ready for use, and masses of clay.

Step II.—Having given bananas round, which girls open for themselves, ask what is to be done first, namely: to sketch outline of opened banana, on platform with a tool.

Step III.—Build up shape of solid banana inside outline with a mass of rather stiff clay, and begin modelling at highest point, using balls of thumbs and finger ends.

Step IV.—Compare proportions and outlines of banana with those of model (the comparison is best done by looking with half-closed eyes) and, by addition of pieces of softer clay, build up model, trying to get the curve made by the skin as it is peeled and falls back.

Step V.—Girls look at banana from every side, and make their own models to agree.

Step VI.—Girls try to get the rough look about the banana by not making clay too moist and smooth.