New
New
Clay landscapes: hand building towers together
I can work collaboratively to build a clay coil structure
Lesson 4 of 4
New
New
- Year 3
Clay landscapes: hand building towers together
I can work collaboratively to build a clay coil structure
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Simon Rodia built the Watts Towers alone, using recycled materials and no machines.
- Artists might use a continuous line drawing to explore different drawing materials.
- Clay can be used with an armature to construct an imagined place.
- Public art can symbolise pride, memory and provide a gathering place for protest and celebration.
Keywords
Tower - a tall building or structure that stands up high above the ground
Continuous line - a line that never stops or lifts off the page
Armature - a strong frame or shape inside that helps hold the sculpture up
Common misconception
Once a sculpture is built, it should always stay the same.
Some sculptures are meant to change over time. Artists might add to them, reuse parts or let nature affect them. Change can tell new stories and show that art is alive.
Pupils may find it helpful to have a selection of repurposed materials to choose from or can spend some time gathering these.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Clay, clay boards, large paper, cling film, brushes, water pots, selection of repurposed materials.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word link mean in art?
What does the word link mean in art?
To cut things apart
To paint with bright colours
To throw something away
Q2.What are materials in art?
What are materials in art?
Words in a story
Music and sounds
used to create a performance
Food and drink used for cooking
Q3.What can you do to your materials when making art?
What can you do to your materials when making art?
Cut, fold, scrunch or rip them again and again
Use the same colours or shapes to make them flow
Put materials in rows, lines, or groups
Q4.Match the art word to what it means:
Match the art word to what it means:
Q5.What word means using something again?
What word means using something again?
regenerate
replay
repeat
Q6.Put these steps in the right order for using repurposed materials:
Put these steps in the right order for using repurposed materials:
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a ‘tower’ in art?
What is a ‘tower’ in art?
A flat drawing that has lots of detail
A small ball of clay that is used to decorate pots
A painting on paper that is of a landscape
Q2.What does a ‘continuous line’ mean when building with clay?
What does a ‘continuous line’ mean when building with clay?
A line that starts and stops many times
A line drawn on paper that is long
A broken line
Q3.What is an ‘armature’ used for in clay sculpture?
What is an ‘armature’ used for in clay sculpture?
To paint the sculpture
To make the clay dry faster
To help cut the clay out carefully
Q4.What materials did Simon Rodia use to build his towers?
What materials did Simon Rodia use to build his towers?
New blocks and bricks
Only ancient wood and new, shiny metal
Paint, paper and collaged materials
Q5.Put these steps in the right order to construct a clay coil tower:
Put these steps in the right order to construct a clay coil tower:
Q6.What is a long, rolled piece of clay called?
What is a long, rolled piece of clay called?
