Modelling: Flat and Round Things from Clay
Primary 1 · Creative Arts
Modelling: Flat and Round Things from Clay
Lesson 2 of 5
11 min
Let's begin
Mugisha digs up a handful of soil in the yard.
It is dry. It crumbles away between his fingers.
He cannot make one single thing with it.
Today you will get your clay ready before you model anything.
You do not have to buy anything.
Clay from a riverbank is best. It is smooth and it sticks together.
Soil from your own yard works well too.
No good soil near you? Mix flour with a little water to make dough.
Dry soil will not hold a shape.
Add water. But add it one drop at a time.
Mix it with your fingers after every drop.
Squeeze a lump inside your hand. Now open your hand.
Good clay keeps the dent your fingers made.
It does not crack apart. It does not stick to your skin.
That is the clay you want.
Many children pour in a whole cup at once.
The clay turns to slop and runs off the hand.
Then it can never hold a plate or a ball.
Fix it like this: mix in more dry soil until the squeeze test works again.
Step 1 Two handfuls of soil onto a flat stone.
Step 2 Pick out the small stones and the bits of stick.
Step 3 Three drops of water. Mix. Still crumbly.
Step 4 Three more drops. Mix. Now it holds a dent.
Umutoni's clay is ready.
A flat stone or an old plate is your work table.
An empty plastic bottle is your roller.
A small stick is your knife. Your two hands do all the rest.
Women make pots by hand from soil they dug themselves.
Tip
One drop at a time
Water goes in slowly. Dry soil fixes clay that is too wet.
Squeeze it and open your hand. If the dent stays, it is ready.
Do each one, then tap Show answer to check.
Your soil crumbles like flour. What is missing?
Answer: water. Add a few drops and mix.
Your clay sticks all over your hands like porridge.
Answer: too much water. Mix in more dry soil.
Name one thing you can use instead of clay.
Answer: soil from the yard, or dough made from flour and water.
What can you use instead of a roller?
Answer: an empty plastic bottle. It rolls just as well.
Get one handful of soil ready now. Do the squeeze test.
Answer: it is ready when it keeps the dent and does not stick to you.
What you learned today
Quick check
Which is best for modelling?
